Brandon Burlsworth, considered the greatest walk-on of the BCS era, left legacy at Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (BVM) — For many Americans, college football is the number one thing to tune into when watching television on a fall, Saturday afternoon.
The sport is filled with rich traditions such as Wisconsin students shaking Camp Randall Stadium to “Jump Around” or seeing the Sooner Schooner riding out onto the field. Others tune into football to see if there will be an upset. Everyone loves an underdog, and one of the greatest underdog stories is Brandon Burlsworth, a former walk-on at the University of Arkansas.
In 1994, Burlsworth graduated from Harrison High School in Arkansas. He earned an all-state selection playing on the offensive line. Burlsworth was recruited by the Arkansas football team, but only as a walk-on. He had offers from other colleges, but decided to pursue his dream of being a Razorback.
When Burlsworth entered college, he weighed in at a plump 300 pounds and stood 6-foot-3. He was redshirted and during that time he would transform himself into a spectacular Division I athlete. During his freshman year, he worked to transform his body into that of a muscular 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman.
Burlsworth was not just a workhorse on the field, he was also the definition of a student-athlete. Majoring in business administration, he made the All-SEC academic honor roll from 1995-1998.
With hard work on and off the field, Burlsworth earned a full scholarship during his sophomore year — a remarkable accomplishment for a walk-on in such a short time — and his career would take off from there.
Burlsworth was starting on the offensive line for Arkansas at the beginning of his sophomore year. From 1996-1997, the Razorback football teams finished with back-to-back 4-7 records. Those seasons were subpar for the team, but Burlsworth made his presence felt on the field and was becoming one of the most talked-about players in the country.
Before the 1997 campaign kicked off, Burlsworth was awarded one of the captain spots for the team. At the end of that season, he was awarded first team All-SEC for his play. The last time an Arkansas football player was selected to a first team squad was 1989. Burlsworth was turning heads with his play. In 1998, Burlsworth’s senior season, he would prove to many around the country that he was one of the best players in the nation.
The Razorbacks started off red hot as they won their first eight games. A highlight win that season was Arkansas’ 42-6 victory over No. 22 Alabama. The team was riding high as they rolled into Knoxville to face No. 1-ranked Tennessee. They outplayed the Volunteers, but ended up losing by four points. It was one of the biggest near upsets that ever happened. The following week, the Razorbacks lost their second consecutive game on the road to Mississippi State.
Sitting at 9-2, after beating LSU at home, Burlsworth and Arkansas were set to face Michigan and future NFL all-time great Tom Brady. The Razorbacks did what it could, but the Wolverines would win the 1999 Florida Citrus Bowl.
After the season, Burlsworth was awarded yet another prestigious accomplishment. He was voted to the All-American team. He was Arkansas’ first All-American since 1993. Burlsworth had already graduated in 1998 with a B.A in Business Administration and was well on his way to achieving his masters. The day before the bowl game, Burlsworth completed his master’s degree. He was the first Razorback to complete his master’s before playing in his final game.
Burlsworth was invited to the NFL combine where he impressed scouts and teams. He ran a 4.88 second 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds 28 times. He was selected in the third round at No. 63 overall by the Indianapolis Colts. Shortly after the draft, he participated in a few practices. He impressed then-head coach Howard Mudd so much that he was chalked in to start for the Colts once the season kicked off.
Then tragically, ten days after he was drafted, Burlsworth was involved in a head-on fatal car accident with a tractor-trailer on his way home from Fayetteville. At the age of 22, Burlsworth had lost his life. It was a somber time not only for his family, but also for the Razorback family.
To honor him, the team retired No. 77. It is one of two retired numbers by the program. His locker and jersey remained on display in the University of Arkansas locker room for many years for all players to see until it was moved to the Arkansas University Hall of Honor. This goes to show the type of impact he had on the program.
There has also been a movie created, telling Burlsworth’s story. That movie, titled “Greater” is now on Netflix. Whether it be a movie or stories told by family and friends, Burlsworth will always be remembered as the greatest walk-on of the BCS era.
