FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Sept. 29, 2026 – The Burlsworth Trophy announces its Walk-On of the Week for week four 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.
Lee Beebe Jr. – Indiana – Senior RB
When Indiana needed someone to step up, Lee Beebe Jr. answered the call.
The fifth year running back delivered a career-defining performance, rushing for 203 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries to help No. 5 Indiana defeat Northwestern, 29-23, in the Hoosiers’ Big Ten opener.
Beebe’s performance came at a critical moment. After starting running back Turbo Richard left the game with an injury in the second quarter, Beebe Jr. took over the Indiana backfield and carried the load the rest of the way.
And he delivered in a big way.
Beebe Jr. rushed for 172 yards in the second half alone, including a 39-yard run that set up his own four-yard touchdown run with 9:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. After Northwestern cut Indiana’s lead to 22-20, Beebe Jr. broke loose for a 70-yard run, taking the Hoosiers to the Northwestern 5-yard line and setting up Josh Hoover’s game-sealing touchdown with 1:56 remaining.
“Lee made plays and made guys miss, and I’m really proud of the way he stepped up tonight,” Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover said.
Head coach Curt Cignetti praised Beebe Jr.’s toughness and determination following the victory. “He’s got as much heart as anyone that’s been in this program the last three years,” Cignetti said. “Boy, when we really needed him, he carried the load.”
The performance was especially meaningful considering what Beebe Jr. endured a year earlier. After transferring to Indiana from UAB, where he earned Third-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2024, Beebe Jr. appeared in only three games for the Hoosiers in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
More than a year later, he returned to the field and delivered when his team needed him most.
Against Northwestern, Beebe Jr. once again demonstrated the perseverance, determination and production that have defined his college football journey.
With the victory, Indiana improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play, extending its winning streak to 20 consecutive games.
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 2026 Burlsworth Trophy on November 17. The winner will be announced at the Burlsworth Trophy Award Show on December 7 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 one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to 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, in particular 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:
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- 2025 – Drew Mestemaker, Quarterback – North Texas
- 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
