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Onwuka Named a Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
11/5/2019 11:46:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo defensive tackle Chibueze Onwuka has been named a nominee for the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy. The award is given out each year to college football's best player who began as a walk-on.
A junior for the Bulls, Onwuka is enjoying the best season of his career. He ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 33 and has added six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has been an anchor on an defensive line that ranks sixth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 85 yards per game. Following the Bulls' win at Eastern Michigan, Onwuka was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week.
Onwuka's journey to Buffalo began at Niagara County Community College where he originally embarked on a wrestling career. His love for football won out and he decided to walk on to the UB football team prior to the 2017 season. Over his three-year career, Onwuka has played in 32 games, has 58 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Onwuka is one of 83 players nominated from Division 1 (FBS) schools from across the country for the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy. In the award's tenth 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 Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on December 9, 2019 in Springdale, AR to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.
A junior for the Bulls, Onwuka is enjoying the best season of his career. He ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 33 and has added six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has been an anchor on an defensive line that ranks sixth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 85 yards per game. Following the Bulls' win at Eastern Michigan, Onwuka was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week.
Onwuka's journey to Buffalo began at Niagara County Community College where he originally embarked on a wrestling career. His love for football won out and he decided to walk on to the UB football team prior to the 2017 season. Over his three-year career, Onwuka has played in 32 games, has 58 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Onwuka is one of 83 players nominated from Division 1 (FBS) schools from across the country for the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy. In the award's tenth 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 Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on December 9, 2019 in Springdale, AR to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.
Players Mentioned
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