FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Sept. 3, 2025 – The Burlsworth Trophy announces its Walk-On of the Week for week one 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.
Bryson Barnes – Utah State – Senior QB
Barnes is in his 5th year as a college quarterback and 2nd for the Utah State Aggies. Entering his first season at Utah State as QB1, he has shown that he was meant to be that from the beginning.
Barnes accounted for 262 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as Utah State opened the 2025 season and the Bronco Mendenhall era with a 28-16 home win against UTEP. He finished the game with 229 yards on 19-of-28 passing with one touchdown and added 29 yards and one touchdown on 15 rushing attempts.
When given the opportunity, Barnes isn’t afraid to run the ball, whether the play be designed that way or an option, which further develops him being a dual threat QB. For his efforts, Bryson Barnes 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 awardsnow 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.
