Indiana Athletics Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Fifth-year senior Logan Justus is a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, 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.

The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with an FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.

One of 20 semifinalists for the 2018 Lou Groza Award, fifth-year senior Logan Justus is one of just seven kickers to hit all of his field goal attempts in 2019. Indiana's all-time field goal percentage leader has not missed a field goal in 12 attempts and has made 34 of his 35 extra point tries (97.1 percent).

Justus, whose 12-straight makes are second in program history (Austin Starr - 15 in 2007), has connected on 19 of his last 20, is second in the Big Ten in field goals made (T-28th nationally) and is fifth in scoring among all players (7.8).

The left-footer is one of 30 members on this year's Groza Award Watch List, and he sits 27-of-30 in his career (90.0) and 66-of-68 on PATs (97.1), good for 147 career points. His 27 field goals and 66 extra points are ninth on the program's all-time list.

"This award is about the journey, the incredibly challenging journey that all of these nominees have taken," said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and older brother of Brandon. "When you begin your college career as a Walk-On there are plenty of skeptics, those that think you can't do it. This group of Burlsworth Trophy nominees have proven all the skeptics wrong. They have put in an immense about of work and overcame numerous obstacles to make their dreams come true."

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, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.

The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on Dec. 9, 2019, in Springdale, Ark., to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.

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