GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Wide Receiver Taylor Spierto has been announced as a nominee for the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on, the Burlsworth Trophy committee announced Tuesday.
Spierto, a redshirt junior, Joined the Gators in the Fall of 2021. He has tallied three receptions for 37 yards in his career so far, but has been a staple on special teams, playing in 20 consecutive contests since the start of 2023.
He chose to attend the University of Florida after a successful career as an all-region Football and Basketball player in Franklin, Tennessee. Spierto’s father, John, was a defensive back at Florida in the 1980’s and was a member of Florida’s first on-field SEC Championship winning team in 1984. The elder Spierto instilled a love for Florida Football in Taylor from an early age, something he still carries with him today.
“I would say I have one of the most unique perspectives in that, I was the biggest Gator fan before I came in here, and so that doesn’t leave you,” Spierto said following Florida’s Oct. 19 win over Kentucky. “I care immensely about this program, and obviously I’ve been a die-hard Gator my whole life. It means something to me every time I get to step on that field.”
“…Every time we run out and I get to say a prayer in that end zone, I just get to take it in and have a different sense of gratitude,” Spierto said, “because this opportunity is unlike any other and I will never allow myself to take it for granted.”
The Burlsworth Trophy
In the award’s fifteenth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. 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 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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
The 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…
Spierto, a redshirt junior, Joined the Gators in the Fall of 2021. He has tallied three receptions for 37 yards in his career so far, but has been a staple on special teams, playing in 20 consecutive contests since the start of 2023.
He chose to attend the University of Florida after a successful career as an all-region Football and Basketball player in Franklin, Tennessee. Spierto’s father, John, was a defensive back at Florida in the 1980’s and was a member of Florida’s first on-field SEC Championship winning team in 1984. The elder Spierto instilled a love for Florida Football in Taylor from an early age, something he still carries with him today.
“I would say I have one of the most unique perspectives in that, I was the biggest Gator fan before I came in here, and so that doesn’t leave you,” Spierto said following Florida’s Oct. 19 win over Kentucky. “I care immensely about this program, and obviously I’ve been a die-hard Gator my whole life. It means something to me every time I get to step on that field.”
“…Every time we run out and I get to say a prayer in that end zone, I just get to take it in and have a different sense of gratitude,” Spierto said, “because this opportunity is unlike any other and I will never allow myself to take it for granted.”
The Burlsworth Trophy
In the award’s fifteenth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. 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 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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
The 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…
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