Fayetteville, Ark., Oct. 14, 2025- The Burlsworth Trophy announces its Walk-On of the Week for week seven of the college football season. To be eligible for Burlsworth Trophy recognition, a player must have begun his FBS (D1) college football career as a walk-on.
King Miller – University of Southern California – Redshirt Freshman
USC running back King Miller rushed for 158 yards on 18 attempts (8.8 avg.) helping lead the Trojans to a 31-13 victory over 15th ranked Michigan. Miller’s 158 rushing yards were more than any TEAM has rushed against Michigan all year. Additionally, his 158 rushing yards are believed to be the most rushing yards by a Trojan walk-on since at least the 1970’s.
USC head football coach Lincoln Riley was gloating about Miller after the game when asked about his confidence in the walk-on. “I got asked a similar question after he popped the run in one of the early games. It’s what he does in practice. He’s a hard worker. He’s a humble guy. He cares about this team a lot. And honestly, hell, we didn’t have anybody else. So we were starting to scratch in the dirt a little bit. But he was awesome. The moment was certainly not too big for him.”
The accolades have started pouring in for his performance. Yesterday, Miller was named Big Ten Freshman Football Player of the Week.
Today, he earns the Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week honor.
Each week during the regular season, the Burlsworth Trophy will select a Walk-On of the Week. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation will announce the finalists for the 2025 Burlsworth Trophy on November 18. The winner will be announced at the Burlsworth Trophy Award Show on December 8 at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
About the Burlsworth Trophy
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without a D1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked onto the Razorback team in 1994 worked his way to being 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 Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
For a full narrative of the Foundation’s work, visit brandonburlsworth.org.
About the National College Football Awards Association
The Burlsworth Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 24 awards now boast over 900 recipients, dating to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on X.com to learn more about the association.
- Being named Walk-On of the Week does not guarantee a player will be nominated or win the Burlsworth Trophy. All Burlsworth Trophy nominees are nominated by their respective schools without input or influence from the Burlsworth Trophy.
Past Burlsworth Trophy winners include:
- 2024 – Bryce Boettcher, Linebacker – Oregon
- 2023 – Cody Schrader, Running Back – Missouri
- 2022 – Stetson Bennett, Quarterback – Georgia
- 2021 – Grant Morgan, Linebacker – Arkansas
- 2020 – Jimmy Morrissey, Center – Pittsburgh
- 2019 – Kenny Willekes, Defensive End – Michigan State
- 2018 – Hunter Renfrow, Receiver – Clemson
- 2017 – Luke Falk, Quarterback – Washington State
- 2016 – Baker Mayfield, Quarterback – Oklahoma
- 2015 – Baker Mayfield, Quarterback – Oklahoma
- 2014 – Justin Hardy, Receiver – East Carolina
- 2013 – Jared Abbrederis, Receiver – Wisconsin
- 2012 – Matt McGloin, Quarterback – Penn State
- 2011 – Austin Davis, Quarterback – Southern Miss
- 2010 – Sean Bedford, Center – Georgia Tech
