FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell has been named a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, the Burlsworth Foundation announced Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 15). Awarded to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on, O'Connell joins Stetson Bennett (Quarterback – Georgia) and Carlton Martial (Linebacker – Troy) as the three finalists up for the award.
The Burlsworth Trophy was named after Brandon Burlsworth, who went from a walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas. Finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced on December 5 at 7:00 p.m. CT at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Beginning his career as a walk-on and eighth on the quarterback depth chart, O'Connell worked his way up to the starting role and didn't stop there. The sixth-year QB has etched his name in the school record books, and he has continued to rise up the career charts this season. O'Connell already ranks in the program's Top 10 in several career categories: completion percentage (1st – 66.8%), 500-yard games (T1st – 2), 400-yard games (2nd – 5), 300-yard games (2nd – 13), touchdown passes (6th – 61), passing completions (6th – 760) and passing yards (6th – 8,404).
In his final season as a Boilermaker, O'Connell paces the Big Ten in passing yards per game, averaging 297.2 yards to also rank 13th nationally. The Long Grove, Illinois, native completes 28.2 passes per game, fourth most in the country. Stacking up against his fellow Big Ten quarterbacks, O'Connell is the only QB to throw for more than 2,000 passing yards in conference play.
In his 13 300-yard games over his career, O'Connell has eclipsed 350 yards in 12 of them. Dating back to last season, he is one of six quarterbacks to average more than 300 passing yards per game, while tossing at least 45 touchdowns (minimum 20 games). O'Connell has five career games with 400 yards passing and three touchdowns, the most by a Big Ten quarterback since 2000.
O'Connell is also a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier community service award.
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Burlsworth walked on to the Razorback team 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 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.
O'Connell is set to play his final game in Ross-Ade Stadium this weekend, as the Boilermakers host Northwestern (Nov. 19). Kickoff is set for noon on FS1.
2022 Burlsworth Trophy Finalists
The Burlsworth Trophy was named after Brandon Burlsworth, who went from a walk-on to an All-American at Arkansas. Finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced on December 5 at 7:00 p.m. CT at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Beginning his career as a walk-on and eighth on the quarterback depth chart, O'Connell worked his way up to the starting role and didn't stop there. The sixth-year QB has etched his name in the school record books, and he has continued to rise up the career charts this season. O'Connell already ranks in the program's Top 10 in several career categories: completion percentage (1st – 66.8%), 500-yard games (T1st – 2), 400-yard games (2nd – 5), 300-yard games (2nd – 13), touchdown passes (6th – 61), passing completions (6th – 760) and passing yards (6th – 8,404).
In his final season as a Boilermaker, O'Connell paces the Big Ten in passing yards per game, averaging 297.2 yards to also rank 13th nationally. The Long Grove, Illinois, native completes 28.2 passes per game, fourth most in the country. Stacking up against his fellow Big Ten quarterbacks, O'Connell is the only QB to throw for more than 2,000 passing yards in conference play.
In his 13 300-yard games over his career, O'Connell has eclipsed 350 yards in 12 of them. Dating back to last season, he is one of six quarterbacks to average more than 300 passing yards per game, while tossing at least 45 touchdowns (minimum 20 games). O'Connell has five career games with 400 yards passing and three touchdowns, the most by a Big Ten quarterback since 2000.
O'Connell is also a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier community service award.
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Burlsworth walked on to the Razorback team 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 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.
O'Connell is set to play his final game in Ross-Ade Stadium this weekend, as the Boilermakers host Northwestern (Nov. 19). Kickoff is set for noon on FS1.
2022 Burlsworth Trophy Finalists
| School | Name | Position | Year |
| Georgia | Stetson Bennett | QB | SR |
| Purdue | Aidan O'Connell | QB | SR |
| Troy | Carlton Martial | LB | SR |