John Hoyland Named Nominee for Burlsworth Trophy

Award Honors the Most Outstanding Player Who Began His College Career as a Walk-on

LARAMIE, Wyo. (Nov. 5, 2024) - The 2024 list of nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy have been announced and Wyoming place-kicker John Hoyland is among this year's nominees marking his third-straight season on the list.

Hoyland, a native of Broomfield, Colo., recently became Wyoming’s all-time leader in career scoring with 346 points passing Cooper Rothe (342 points) with seven extra points at New Mexico. He also earlier this season set the Wyoming recorded for career field goals, as he now has 67 career field goals. He has hit four field goals five times in his career.

 Hoyland is 9-of-12 on field goals this season for 75 percent with a long of 48 yards. He is 6-for-6 this season inside the 40-yard line. He is also perfect this season in extra points.

The Burlsworth Trophy announced 78 players nominated from Division 1 (FBS) schools from across the country for the 2024 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. Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "GREATER", which was released in 2016. 

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 FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university’s athletic department. 

The 2023 winner was running back Cody Schrader from the University of Missouri. After dominating at Truman (Mo.) State, Schrader transferred to Missouri where he contributed immediately. In 2023, he rushed for 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him First-Team All-America by the Associated Press and First-Team All-SEC by the Associated Press and the coaches. 

“The walk-on athlete is an integral part of college football, it’s in the very fabric of the game,” said MartyBurlsworth,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." 

Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked onat 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 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 Burlsworth Trophy AwardShow 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.