Purchase Photo | Former Stevenson fullback Mark Weisman is among the finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the top football player who started his college years as a walk-on. STEVE LUNDY | Staff Photographer
Mark Weisman walked on to the University of Iowa’s football team.
Once there, he never stopped running.
The senior running back is now part of an elite group.
A Stevenson High School product from Buffalo Grove, Weisman is one of 10 semifinalists for the 2014 Burlsworth Trophy.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.
Three finalists are expected to be announced Tuesday and the award will be presented Monday, Dec. 8.
The 6-foot, 240-pound Weisman has led the Hawkeyes in rushing in each of the past two seasons and is Iowa’s leading rusher through 11 games this year.
In the Hawkeyes’ first 11 games, he has rushed for 720 yards on 182 attempts, scoring 14 touchdowns.
The 14 touchdowns rank fifth best in a single-season at Iowa.
In three seasons, he has become just the third player in Iowa history to record 30 rushing touchdowns.
He ranks fourth in career rushing attempts, eighth in rushing yards, and 12th in career scoring (186 points). Weisman is one of eight Hawkeye running backs to rush for over 2,200 yards and score more than 20 touchdowns.
Weisman also excels in the classroom, as he was previously named to the 2014 Capital One District 6 Academic All-America first team.
He holds a 3.32 grade-point average and is majoring in health and human physiology.
Weisman earned academic All-Big Ten recognition in 2012 and 2013 and is a three-time honoree on the UI dean’s list.
The Burlsworth Award is named in honor of former Arkansas player Brandon Burlsworth. After earning All-America honors in 1998, Burlsworth was the 63rd selection in the 1999 NFL Draft before being tragically killed in a car accident 11 days after the draft.
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