Nov. 17, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Senior defensive end Carl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.) is one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.
Matt McGloin is Penn State's only winner of the Burlsworth Trophy, picking up the award as a senior in 2012.
Fans will be allowed to vote for their favorite player via the "GREATER" Fan Vote beginning today, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. CST. Fans are limited to one vote per day, and the voting for the semifinalist round will conclude on Nov. 22 at midnight CST. Voting can be accessed at www.burlsworthtrophy.com and will begin with the top 10 semi-finalists and continue as the selection committee announces the top three Burlsworth Trophy finalists on Nov. 24. Finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2015 Burlsworth Trophy announced Dec. 7 at a banquet in Springdale, Ark., sponsored by the Springdale Rotary Club.
Nassib sprung onto the national scene this year and leads FBS in sacks (15.5), tackles for loss (19.5) and forced fumbles (6). He has recorded a sack in each game this season and five multi-sack games. With one sack at Northwestern, Nassib broke the Penn State single-seaosn sacks record by upping his total to 15.5. He surpasses the mark of 15 sacks set by Larry Kubin (1979) and Michael Haynes (2002).
Additionally, Nassib's six forced fumbles this season are the most by a Penn State player since Haynes had a school-record seven in the 2002. Nassib is the first Penn State player to force two fumbles in two games in a season since Maurice Evans did it in 2007. Evans had two forced fumbles against Indiana and two forced fumbles against Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl.
The West Chester, Pennsylvania native was recently named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award for the nation's Defensive Player of the Year and the Rotary Lombardi Award for the Nation's Top College Lineman (offensive or defensive). Additionally, he is a candidate for the Burlsworth Trophy for the nation's top player that started his career as a walk-on. He was also a midseason All-America choice by SI.com, ESPN.com, USAToday.com and CBS Sports.
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon 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.
The "GREATER" Fan Vote counts as 5 percent during each round of voting, and it is combined with the results from the Selection Committee. Fans can cast their vote for the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on once per day. Fan Vote totals are cleared after each round.
For more information about the Burlsworth Trophy, visit www.burlsworthtrophy.com.
Tickets for the Nittany Lions' Senior Day and Penn State White Out game against Michigan on Nov. 21. To purchase tickets or for more information, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.
The Penn State residence halls will remain open until Sunday at 10 a.m. to allow all students an opportunity to attend the football game heading into the week long Thanksgiving break from classes.