Spierto Announced as Nominee for Burlsworth Trophy
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 | Football
The Burlsworth Trophy, named for Arkansas Offensive Lineman Brandon Burlsworth, is awarded to the outstanding player in FBS that started their collegiate career as a walk-on.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Wide Receiver Taylor Spierto has been announced as a nominee for the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on, the Burlsworth Trophy committee announced Tuesday.
Spierto, a redshirt junior, joined the Gators in the fall of 2021. He has tallied three receptions for 37 yards in his career so far, but has been a staple on special teams, playing in 20 consecutive contests since the start of 2023.
He chose to attend the University of Florida after a successful career as an all-region Football and Basketball player in Franklin, Tennessee. Spierto's father, John, was a defensive back at Florida in the 1980's and was a member of Florida's first on-field SEC Championship winning team in 1984. The elder Spierto instilled a love for Florida Football in Taylor from an early age, something he still carries with him today.
"I would say I have one of the most unique perspectives in that, I was the biggest Gator fan before I came in here, and so that doesn't leave you," Spierto said following Florida's Oct. 19 win over Kentucky. "I care immensely about this program, and obviously I've been a die-hard Gator my whole life. It means something to me every time I get to step on that field."
"…Every time we run out and I get to say a prayer in that end zone, I just get to take it in and have a different sense of gratitude," Spierto said, "because this opportunity is unlike any other and I will never allow myself to take it for granted."
The Burlsworth Trophy
In the award's fifteenth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became 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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
The Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America 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 FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
78 players were nominated for this season's award.
"The walk-on athlete is an integral part of college football, it's in the very fabric of the game," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and older brother of Brandon Burlsworth. "All of these nominees have embraced this opportunity and made the very most of it. It's certainly not an easy path, but through hard work and determination, they have made their dreams come true."
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2024 winner will be on December 9, at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
2024 FLORIDA FOOTBALL TICKETS
Fans can still purchase single-game tickets for the remaining three home games with matchups against Kentucky, LSU and Ole Miss. To purchase, click here. For more information on football tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or fill out this form to be contacted by a ticket office representative. Fans can click here to join the 2025 Season Ticket Waiting List.
Ticketmaster.com is the only verified resale partner of the Florida Gators. Fans are urged to avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized secondary ticketing sites or individuals they do not know. Click here for tips on how to verify tickets are from a legitimate source.
Spierto, a redshirt junior, joined the Gators in the fall of 2021. He has tallied three receptions for 37 yards in his career so far, but has been a staple on special teams, playing in 20 consecutive contests since the start of 2023.
He chose to attend the University of Florida after a successful career as an all-region Football and Basketball player in Franklin, Tennessee. Spierto's father, John, was a defensive back at Florida in the 1980's and was a member of Florida's first on-field SEC Championship winning team in 1984. The elder Spierto instilled a love for Florida Football in Taylor from an early age, something he still carries with him today.
"I would say I have one of the most unique perspectives in that, I was the biggest Gator fan before I came in here, and so that doesn't leave you," Spierto said following Florida's Oct. 19 win over Kentucky. "I care immensely about this program, and obviously I've been a die-hard Gator my whole life. It means something to me every time I get to step on that field."
"…Every time we run out and I get to say a prayer in that end zone, I just get to take it in and have a different sense of gratitude," Spierto said, "because this opportunity is unlike any other and I will never allow myself to take it for granted."
The Burlsworth Trophy
In the award's fifteenth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became 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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
The Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America 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 FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
78 players were nominated for this season's award.
"The walk-on athlete is an integral part of college football, it's in the very fabric of the game," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and older brother of Brandon Burlsworth. "All of these nominees have embraced this opportunity and made the very most of it. It's certainly not an easy path, but through hard work and determination, they have made their dreams come true."
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2024 winner will be on December 9, at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
2024 FLORIDA FOOTBALL TICKETS
Fans can still purchase single-game tickets for the remaining three home games with matchups against Kentucky, LSU and Ole Miss. To purchase, click here. For more information on football tickets, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or fill out this form to be contacted by a ticket office representative. Fans can click here to join the 2025 Season Ticket Waiting List.
Ticketmaster.com is the only verified resale partner of the Florida Gators. Fans are urged to avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized secondary ticketing sites or individuals they do not know. Click here for tips on how to verify tickets are from a legitimate source.
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