FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (November 7, 2023) – Washington State linebacker Kyle Thornton was named a semifinalist for The Burlsworth Trophy Tuesday.
Thornton is one of 10 semifinalists up for the award given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. Brandon Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "GREATER", which was released nationally in 2016. Cougar quarterback Luke Falk won the award in 2017.
Thornton, a redshirt-junior, walked on prior to the 2019 season and earned a scholarship prior to the 2021 season.