Nov. 12, 2013
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The remarkable story of Georgia Tech senior A-back Robert Godhigh continued Tuesday when he was named to the list of candidates for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded nationally to the nation’s top former walk-on.
Godhigh, a 5-7 Acworth (Ga.) native, came to Georgia Tech as a walk-on in 2009. After toiling on the scout team for two years, he emerged as a blocking specialist and saw duty as a reserve. Over the last two seasons he has started 23 consecutive games while developing into one of ACC’s most versatile big-play threats.
Consider:
Godhigh leads the ACC in total offense yards per play and yardsper rushing attempt.
Of Godhigh’s 708 yards from scrimmage this season, 45.2 percenthave come after contact.
Fifty-five percent of his offensive touches have resulted in firstdowns or touchdowns).
He has nine plays from scrimmage of 30-plus yards. Only eight FBSplayers have more.
Over his last two games, Godhigh has rushed for 200 yards and threetouchdowns on just 11 carries.
He enters Thursday night’s game at Clemson needing just 80 yards tobecome the 42nd player in Georgia Tech history to rush for 1,000career yards.
The Burlsworth Trophy and presenting sponsor, the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club, announced the list of 53 candidates Tuesday. The 2013 list includes standout players and national statistical leaders from every major conference in the nation.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding collegiate football player who began his career as a walk-on. A walk-on is defined as a player who began his first season of participation with a Division I (FBS) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university’s athletic department.
Georgia Tech claimed the first ever Burlsworth Trophy in 2010 when center Sean Bedford earned the honor. <> The 2012 winner was Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin.Southern Mississippi quarterback Austin Davis won in 2011.
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on to the Arkansas Razorbacks 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 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 that have limited opportunities.
“The 2013 class of Burlsworth Trophy nominees are an outstanding group of young men,” said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Burlsworth Foundation and brother of Brandon. “They represent their schools well and embody everything that the Burlsworth Trophy stands for: hard word, dedication and a commitment to excellence.”
