.png&type=webp)
Rice University Athletics
Photo by: Eric Espada/Rice Athletics
Barnes Nominated for Burlsworth Trophy
11/5/2019 1:09:00 PM | Football
Honors the top walk-on in college football
Rice punter and kicker Chris Barnes is one of a record 83 players from FBS schools to be nominated for the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy.
Named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked-on at Arkansas as an offensive lineman and went on to earn All-American honors, the Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with a FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
Barnes ranks second in punting in Conference USA, averaging 45.1 yards. His 25 punts are not enough to qualify for the national rankings but he and fellow punter Adam Nunez have combined for a net punting average of 42.9, which ranks seventh nationally. Barnes has also taken over the Owls placekicking duties and has converted 4/6 field goals and 6/8 extra points.
He came to Rice in the fall of 2015 as a walk-on from College Park High School where he had starred at tight end in addition to handling punting duties. When faced with the possible end of his dream of playing collegiately after suffering several concussions, he asked to remain on the team as a punter. He backed up 2018 C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year Jack Fox for three seasons and saw his first action in 2018 as the holder for placekicks before combining with Nunez to handle the punting duties in 2019.
After not receiving any FBS scholarship offers, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at Arkansas in 1994. He became a three-year starter and earned All-American honors in 1998. Burlsworth was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd pick 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.
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on December 9, 2019 in Springdale, Arkansas to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.
Named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked-on at Arkansas as an offensive lineman and went on to earn All-American honors, the Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with a FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
Barnes ranks second in punting in Conference USA, averaging 45.1 yards. His 25 punts are not enough to qualify for the national rankings but he and fellow punter Adam Nunez have combined for a net punting average of 42.9, which ranks seventh nationally. Barnes has also taken over the Owls placekicking duties and has converted 4/6 field goals and 6/8 extra points.
He came to Rice in the fall of 2015 as a walk-on from College Park High School where he had starred at tight end in addition to handling punting duties. When faced with the possible end of his dream of playing collegiately after suffering several concussions, he asked to remain on the team as a punter. He backed up 2018 C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year Jack Fox for three seasons and saw his first action in 2018 as the holder for placekicks before combining with Nunez to handle the punting duties in 2019.
After not receiving any FBS scholarship offers, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at Arkansas in 1994. He became a three-year starter and earned All-American honors in 1998. Burlsworth was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the 63rd pick 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.
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on December 9, 2019 in Springdale, Arkansas to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.
Players Mentioned
WBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02