Hayden Dawahare Named Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
Kentucky outside linebacker Hayden Dawahare has been named a nominee for the 2025 Burlsworth Trophy given to FBS’s most outstanding player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on.
Dawahare, a junior from Lexington, Kentucky, is a walk-on who has seen action in six games this season, making his mark on special teams with consistent effort and energy. He’s also known for his high character and he sets an example for his teammates through his dedication to community service and excellence in the classroom. He has more than 114 hours logged in for community service – though his true impact goes far beyond the numbers. In the classroom, he was a member of the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll in 2023 and the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2024. Additionally, he is a three-time member of the Dean’s List.
Some of his community service efforts include serving as a mentor at Amachi Central Kentucky, an organization that serves children of incarcerated parents (2024-present); serving as an ambassador at UK’s My New Kentucky Home (2024); helping run a lemonade stand for the Issac Sterett Adventure Foundation with all proceeds funding scholarships for kids to go to camp, college, etc. (2024); Participating in a bowling event with Big Brothers Big Sisters (2024); Participating in the Eastern Kentucky Christmas Project, shopping for kids in need and gathering clothes and toys (2023); Serving as a guest speaker for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (2023); Volunteering at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital (2023); Volunteering at Southland Christian’s Joy Program, helping organize presents for those in need (2023).
In the award’s 16th year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Burlsworth’s life is also the subject of a major motion picture, “GREATER”, which was released in 2016. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American 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.
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2025 winner will be on December 8, at 8 p.m. ET at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
