University of Memphis Athletics
Hayes Announced as Nominee for Burlsworth Trophy
Nov 13, 2014 | Football
Nov. 13, 2014
Brandon Hayes, who came to the University of Memphis twice as a walk-on and now has played a significant role in the University of Memphis heading toward its first bowl game since 2008, has been named a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy.
The Burlworth Trophy and the Springdale, Ark., Rotary Club has announced the 55 players nominated from NCAA FBS schools for the 2014 Burlsworth Trophy. In the award’s fifth year, the Trophy honors Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman.
The award will be given to the collegiate player who began their career as a walk-on and has now shown outstanding performance on the field. Nominees must have begun their first season of participation with an FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from their athletic department.
Hayes walked on to the Memphis program during spring practices in 2010 and was having a productive spring until suffering a knee injury in the Blue-Gray Game. He underwent surgery to repair his right knee in May, 2010, and missed the 2010 fall season while rehabbing. He was back on the field in the spring of 2011 and in the annual Blue-Gray Spring Game rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Hayes transferred to Scottsdale Community College where he played the 2011 season. With a new coaching staff in place and a perceived new opportunity, he returned to the University of Memphis to pursue a degree in accounting, and for the second time walked on to the Memphis program.
The No. 6 running back on the depth chart to begin the 2012 season, Hayes did not see any playing time until the fourth game of the year bunt went on to lead the Tigers with 576 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his first season playing.
Last year Hayes was honored at the Highland HundreD Postseason banquet, receiving the DeAngelo Williams Most Valuable Player award. He also received the Isaac Bruce Offensive Player of the Year award for the second straight year. Hayes rushed for 860 yards and five touchdowns in 2013.
In last week’s win over Temple, which made the Tigers bowl eligible for the first time since 2008, Hayes became the eighth player in Memphis history to rush for 2,000 career yards. He currently has rushed for 2,040 yards and 16 touchdowns.
This year as a senior, Hayes has run for 604 yards and five touchdowns. He has also caught nine passes for 66 yards and two scores.
"As we enter our fifth year of the Burlsworth Trophy, I am again impressed by the quality of committed athletes that have been selected,” said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Burlsworth Foundation and older brother of Brandon. "They each represent what the Burlsworth Trophy stands for: hard work, dedication to a sport and to their school and above all else, a commitment to excel at the highest level.”
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon 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.
Springdale Rotary Club will host a banquet on Dec. 8th in Springdale, Ark. to honor the finalists and to announce the 2014 winner.
Brandon Hayes, who came to the University of Memphis twice as a walk-on and now has played a significant role in the University of Memphis heading toward its first bowl game since 2008, has been named a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy.
The Burlworth Trophy and the Springdale, Ark., Rotary Club has announced the 55 players nominated from NCAA FBS schools for the 2014 Burlsworth Trophy. In the award’s fifth year, the Trophy honors Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman.
The award will be given to the collegiate player who began their career as a walk-on and has now shown outstanding performance on the field. Nominees must have begun their first season of participation with an FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from their athletic department.
Hayes walked on to the Memphis program during spring practices in 2010 and was having a productive spring until suffering a knee injury in the Blue-Gray Game. He underwent surgery to repair his right knee in May, 2010, and missed the 2010 fall season while rehabbing. He was back on the field in the spring of 2011 and in the annual Blue-Gray Spring Game rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Hayes transferred to Scottsdale Community College where he played the 2011 season. With a new coaching staff in place and a perceived new opportunity, he returned to the University of Memphis to pursue a degree in accounting, and for the second time walked on to the Memphis program.
The No. 6 running back on the depth chart to begin the 2012 season, Hayes did not see any playing time until the fourth game of the year bunt went on to lead the Tigers with 576 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his first season playing.
Last year Hayes was honored at the Highland HundreD Postseason banquet, receiving the DeAngelo Williams Most Valuable Player award. He also received the Isaac Bruce Offensive Player of the Year award for the second straight year. Hayes rushed for 860 yards and five touchdowns in 2013.
In last week’s win over Temple, which made the Tigers bowl eligible for the first time since 2008, Hayes became the eighth player in Memphis history to rush for 2,000 career yards. He currently has rushed for 2,040 yards and 16 touchdowns.
This year as a senior, Hayes has run for 604 yards and five touchdowns. He has also caught nine passes for 66 yards and two scores.
"As we enter our fifth year of the Burlsworth Trophy, I am again impressed by the quality of committed athletes that have been selected,” said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Burlsworth Foundation and older brother of Brandon. "They each represent what the Burlsworth Trophy stands for: hard work, dedication to a sport and to their school and above all else, a commitment to excel at the highest level.”
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon 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.
Springdale Rotary Club will host a banquet on Dec. 8th in Springdale, Ark. to honor the finalists and to announce the 2014 winner.
The University of Memphis, 6-3 and 4-1 on the year, plays its final road game of the season on Saturday, traveling to Tulane for a 2:30 p.m. game which will be broadcast by ESPNU.
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