Upcoming Event: Football at NC State on November 7, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.
Football
at NC State
11/4/2026 1:51:00 PM | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Duke offensive lineman Jordan Larsen has been named a nominee for the 2026 Burlsworth Trophy, the organization announced.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
Larsen is in his second season with the Blue Devils after transferring from South Dakota and has seen action in 46 career games (35 starts). He is two-year starter on an offensive line that is second nationally in fewest sacks allowed and ranks third in sack yards lost (20). In five conference games, Duke has yielded just 2.0 sacks, tied for second fewest nationally. The Blue Devil unit also ranks second in the ACC in fewest tackles for loss allowed (27.0) and is third in the country in fewest yards lost on TFLs (69). Larsen has also opened holes for midseason All-America running back Nate Sheppard to tally a Duke single-season record 18 touchdowns scored with four regular season games remaining.
In 2024, he was part of an offensive line that ranked among the nation's best in sacks allowed and contributed to Duke's 2025 ACC Championship season, when the Blue Devils set program records for touchdowns scored (63), points scored (484) and pass efficiency (152.53). He provided protection for a Duke passing attack that averaged 285.36 yards per contest in 2025, the program's highest mark since 2009. He also opened holes for Duke's ground attack that featured the first campaign in program history with two or more backs having 10 or more touchdowns each with Anderson Castle (12) and Sheppard (11).
"Even with all the changes in college football, the walk-on athlete continues to play an incredibly important role in this game," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and Brandon's older brother. "These young men understand what it means to work for an opportunity, overcome obstacles and make the most of every chance they are given. Their journeys are what this award is all about. Brandon's story is a reminder that where you start does not determine where you can finish."
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became 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 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, particularly those children who have limited options.
The Burlsworth Trophy Selection Committee will announce semifinalists on Nov. 10 and three finalists on Nov. 17.
The 2026 Burlsworth Trophy winner will be announced at the annual Burlsworth Trophy Award Show on December 7 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
#GoDuke
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
Larsen is in his second season with the Blue Devils after transferring from South Dakota and has seen action in 46 career games (35 starts). He is two-year starter on an offensive line that is second nationally in fewest sacks allowed and ranks third in sack yards lost (20). In five conference games, Duke has yielded just 2.0 sacks, tied for second fewest nationally. The Blue Devil unit also ranks second in the ACC in fewest tackles for loss allowed (27.0) and is third in the country in fewest yards lost on TFLs (69). Larsen has also opened holes for midseason All-America running back Nate Sheppard to tally a Duke single-season record 18 touchdowns scored with four regular season games remaining.
In 2024, he was part of an offensive line that ranked among the nation's best in sacks allowed and contributed to Duke's 2025 ACC Championship season, when the Blue Devils set program records for touchdowns scored (63), points scored (484) and pass efficiency (152.53). He provided protection for a Duke passing attack that averaged 285.36 yards per contest in 2025, the program's highest mark since 2009. He also opened holes for Duke's ground attack that featured the first campaign in program history with two or more backs having 10 or more touchdowns each with Anderson Castle (12) and Sheppard (11).
"Even with all the changes in college football, the walk-on athlete continues to play an incredibly important role in this game," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and Brandon's older brother. "These young men understand what it means to work for an opportunity, overcome obstacles and make the most of every chance they are given. Their journeys are what this award is all about. Brandon's story is a reminder that where you start does not determine where you can finish."
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became 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 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, particularly those children who have limited options.
The Burlsworth Trophy Selection Committee will announce semifinalists on Nov. 10 and three finalists on Nov. 17.
The 2026 Burlsworth Trophy winner will be announced at the annual Burlsworth Trophy Award Show on December 7 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, November 04
Tuesday, November 03
Tuesday, November 03
Tuesday, November 03
