Fayetteville, Ark.----- Nationally-ranked San Jose State University quarterback Josh Love is one of 83 players nominated for the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy.
The award honors the most outstanding NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player who began his career as a walk-on and shown "…outstanding performance on the field."
Love is the only quarterback among this year's record-number of nominees for the award named after former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman, the late Brandon Burlsworth.
A senior from Mission Viejo and co-captain of this year's Spartan team, Love is one of the country's most prolific passers. Leading San Jose State to road wins at Arkansas on September 21 and Army West Point on October 26, he is among the top-20 nationally in passing yards per game (5th/310.3), completions per game (12th/22.58), total offense (12th/302.8) and passing yards per completion (20th/13.76).
The two-time Mountain West "Offensive Player of the Week" this season has thrown for single-season personal bests of 2,793 yards and 17 touchdowns in the team's first nine games. Love became just the second San Jose State quarterback in school history to record four 400-yard passing games in a season with his 438-yard, two touchdown performance against #21-Boise State on November 2. His four interceptions in 346 pass attempts is a career low and one of the best interception-to-pass attempt ratios in college football this season.
Love enrolled at San Jose State in 2015 as a non-scholarship player from Long Beach Poly High. He was placed on scholarship in August 2016, started one game as a redshirt freshman, five as a sophomore, and eight last year as a junior. Love has started every game for San Jose State in 2019.
"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.
Previous San Jose State nominees include offensive lineman David Quessenberry, a 2012 Burlsworth Trophy finalist, wide receiver, current graduate assistant and school-record setting wide receiver Chandler Jones, wide receiver Tim Crawley, and All-America punter Michael Carrizosa.
Ten semifinalists will be announced on November 12 and three finalists will be named on November 19.
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on December 9, 2019 in Springdale, Ark. to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.
The Burlsworth Trophy is one of 25 nationally-recognized annual football awards recognized by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA).