Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield again receives Burlsworth Trophy

Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield again receives Burlsworth Trophy

Award given in honor of former Razorbacks standout killed in crash

Sports Service Arkansas News Bureau SPRINGDALE — For the second consecutive year Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield was voted the Burlsworth Trophy Monday at the annual Burlsworth Trophy luncheon at the Springdale Holiday Inn Convention Center.

Named for the late Brandon Burlsworth, the Arkansas Razorbacks 1994-98 offensive guard from Harrison blossoming from walk-on to 4-year letterman, 3-year starter become All-American both on the field and academically then killed in an automobile accident in May of 1999 11 days after being NFL drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, the Burlsworth Trophy for seven years honors the best college football player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on.

From an original list of 52 narrowed to 10 and then to three, junior quarterback Mayfield was chosen over junior Washington State quarterback Luke Falk, also a Burlsworth Trophy finalist last year, and senior receiver Austin Carr of Northwestern.

'It's definitely more special this time because I continue to learn more about the Burlsworth family,' Mayfield said. 'To be up here and win it again means a lot to me. It means I've been doing something right. So I am going to try and continue it and live on Brandon's legacy.'

All three finalists Sunday night saw 'Greater' the movie that about Brandon that also portrayed his mother, Barbara, brother, Marty, and former Harrison Coach Tommy Tice and former Razorbacks head coaches Danny Ford and Houston Nutt and the late Mike Bender, Burlsworth's, offensive line coach from 1995-97.

Mayfield, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year for the 10-2 Sooners Sugar Bowl bound Jan. 2 against Auburn, much like last year awaits a possible invitation to be a Heisman Trophy finalist Saturday in New York.

'The year's gone fast and we'll see what happens,' Mayfield said. 'But I'll enjoy this (the Burlsworth). It means a lot to me.'

And should to any finalist, he said.

'Walk-ons don't necessarily get recognition in the beginning but the stuff they go through and the trials, Luke is a testament to that,' Mayfield said.

'He has worked very hard to put himself in that position. It feels good just to get the call with him and Austin.'

As Burlsworth finalists returnees, Falk joked he and Mayfield have had a good time 'showing Austin the ropes.'

'Bake and I feel like vets down here now,' Falk said. 'We are trying to tell Austin how to do it so it's pretty fun.'

Mayfield said, 'We messed around and called him a rookie. We had fun.

Luke's a great guy and Austin is too. The people here made it enjoyable.'

Falk and the Washington State Cougars prepare to play Minnesota in the Holiday Bowl.

Rather than declaring for the NFL, Mayfield and Falk both say they will return to their schools as 2017 seniors.

Carr has already graduated from Northwestern with a major in philosophy and will be awaiting a NFL draft call next spring after he concludes his Northwestern career vs Pittsburgh in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York.

'It's uphill battle just to get here as a finalist,' Carr said. 'I'm glad to be part of this brotherhood now.'

From Nate Allen