FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Old Dominion University junior linebacker TJ Ricks was named a semi-finalist for the Brandon Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.
A native of Hampton, Va., Ricks leads Old Dominion with 103 tackles and leads Conference USA and ranks 11th in the country with 10.3 tackles per game. He leads the Monarchs with seven pass breakups and also has 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two fumbles recovered and a forced fumble.
Ricks set the ODU single-game record for tackles with 18 in the win over Charlotte. He is just nine tackles shy of breaking Craig Wilkins’ single-season record of 111 tackles that Wilkins set in 2011.
Ricks joins Marshall punter Tyler Williams on the list as one of two Conference USA players and Memphis tight end Alan Cross as the only three players from the Group of Five.
Fans will be allowed to vote for their favorite player via the “GREATER” Fan Vote beginning today, Nov. 17 at 3:00 PM EST. Fans are limited to one vote per day, and the voting for the semi-finalist round will conclude on Nov. 22at 1 a.m. EST. Voting can be accessed at www.burlsworthtrophy.com and will begin with the top 10 semi-finalists and continue as the selection committee announces the top three Burlsworth Trophy finalists on Nov. 24. Finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2015 Burlsworth Trophy announced Dec. 7 at a banquet in Springdale, Ark., sponsored by the Springdale Rotary Club.
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.
Brandon Burlsworth Trophy Semi-Finalists
Player Position School
Jordan Simone Safety Arizona State
Tyler Williams Punter Marshall
Alan Cross Tight End Memphis
Ryan Glasgow Defensive Tackle Michigan
Baker Mayfield Quarterback Oklahoma
TJ Ricks Linebacker Old Dominion
Carl Nassib Defensive End Penn State
Robert Hunter Williams Linebacker Wake Forest
Luke Falk Quarterback Washington State
Joe Schobert Linebacker Wisconsin