TOLEDO, Ohio – Sophomore offensive lineman Nick Rosi 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 Samuel Womack (2020), Reggie Gilliam (2019) and Ka'dar Hollman (2018). Gilliam currently plays for the NFL's Buffalo Bills, while Womack and Hollman play for the San Francisco 49ers.
Rosi, who has started every game on the offensive line this season, is a three-year starter for the Rockets. He was named to the FWAA Freshman All-America team in 2019 and was a Third-Team All-MAC honoree that season as well.
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 2022 winner will be held on December 5 at 7:00 p.m. CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.