FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- San Diego State wide receiver Jesse Matthews has been named a Burlsworth Trophy nominee, the Springdale Rotary Club announced Tuesday. Matthews is one of 83 student-athletes on the list and one of just two freshmen.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding collegiate football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Nominees must have started their first season of participation with a Division I football program without financial aid of any kind from their athletic department. The trophy is named in honor of former Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth.
Matthews has started six of the eight Aztec games this year at wide receiver, ranking second on the team in both receptions (26) and receiving yards (261). The San Diego native and Christian High grad also has returned six punts for 61 yards (10.2 avg.) and has a 7-yard rush. Matthews redshirted the 2018 season, while being named the team's offensive scout player of the year.
Previous SDSU nominees for the award include current Houston Texan Kahale Warring (2017-18), current San Francisco 49er Daniel Brunskill (2016), Dakota Gordon (2015), Joel Alesi (2014) and Chad Young (2013).
The 2018 winner was Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on Dec. 9 in Springdale, Ark., to honor the three finalists and announce the 2019 winner.
No. 24/24 San Diego State (7-1, 4-1 MW) hosts Nevada (5-4, 2-3 MW) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at SDCCU Stadium. For ticket information, visit GoAztecs.com, call (619) 283-7378 or visit SDCCU Stadium's Window E between 9 a.m. PT and 5 p.m. PT.
Jesse Matthews Named a Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
