Adam Beale, who holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, earned a scholarship with the Rockets this past summer.
Photo by: Kate Barnhart
Adam Beale Nominated for Burlsworth Trophy
10/31/2023 11:54:00 AM | Football
Award honors top player in the country who began his career as a walk-on
TOLEDO, Ohio - Senior wide receiver Adam Beale has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, the organization announced on Tuesday.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with an FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department. Past Rockets who have been nominated for the award include current Rockets Nick Rosi (2022) and Devin Maddox (2021), and former Rockets and NFL veterans Samuel Womack (2020), Reggie Gilliam (2019), and Ka'dar Hollman (2018).Â
Beale, who has already earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, has played in 32 games in his Toledo career. He has been battling injuries this season but has three receptions in five games. He was Toledo's primary punter returner in 2022, averaging 8.1 yards in 31 returns. He was awarded a scholarship this past summer.
The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.
The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2023 winner will be on Dec. 4, at 7:00 p.m. CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.
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The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with an FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department. Past Rockets who have been nominated for the award include current Rockets Nick Rosi (2022) and Devin Maddox (2021), and former Rockets and NFL veterans Samuel Womack (2020), Reggie Gilliam (2019), and Ka'dar Hollman (2018).Â
Beale, who has already earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, has played in 32 games in his Toledo career. He has been battling injuries this season but has three receptions in five games. He was Toledo's primary punter returner in 2022, averaging 8.1 yards in 31 returns. He was awarded a scholarship this past summer.
The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.
The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2023 winner will be on Dec. 4, at 7:00 p.m. CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.
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