Fayetteville, Ark., Sept. 23, 2025- The Burlsworth Trophy announces its Walk-On of the Week for week two 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.
Jordan Faison – Notre Dame – Junior
Junior wide receiver Jordan Faison, who began his career at Notre Dame as a walk-on before earning a football scholarship, led the Irish in receiving yards in the resounding 56-30 victory over Purdue. He posted five receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown on the evening, including a 48-yard long for the score. In addition, Faison served as Notre Dame’s starting punt returner, returning one punt for 13 yards. All five of Faison’s receptions resulted in Notre Dame first downs, and all five receptions came to advance touchdown drives.
In the third quarter, Faison was responsible for two of Notre Dame’s three plays on a 67-yard drive to put the Irish up 49-23. After Faison’s 15-yard reception to place the Irish at the Purdue 48-yard line, he immediately followed by reeling in a 48-yard pass from CJ Carr to score a touchdown on the subsequent play. Faison also delivered a key block on a 46-yard touchdown run by teammate Jeremiyah Love. As a team, Notre Dame totaled 535 yards of offense with 281 yards through the air.
For his efforts in helping the Irish top Purdue, Jordan Faison has earned 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 Twitter 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
*For all Burlsworth Trophy logos and photos, please download HERE.
For more information about the Burlsworth Trophy, visit burlsworthtrophy.com.
