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Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com
Dolac Named Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
11/8/2022 4:35:00 PM | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – University at Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac has been named one of 10 semifinalists for The Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. He is the first UB player named a semifinalist for the award.
Dolac began his UB career as a walk-on in 2020. Prior to the 2021 season, the West Seneca, NY native was awarded a scholarship. This year, Dolac is enjoying the best season of his career. He leads the Bulls and ranks second in the Mid-American Conference in tackles with 95 tackles and has a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss. He leads the nation with 68 solo tackles which ranks sixth in school history for a single season.
An Academic All-MAC selection, Dolac has proven to not only be a standout on the football field, but in the classroom as well.
The selection committee will announce the top three Burlsworth Trophy finalists on November 15. Finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced on December 5 at 7:00 p.m. CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to the Razorback team in 1994, worked his way to being 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 2022 semi-finalists include:
Shaun Dolac, Buffalo, LB
Payton Wilgar, BYU, LB
Chris Reynolds, Charlotte, QB
Treshaun Ward, Florida State, RB
Stetson Bennett, Georgia, QB
Josh Williams, LSU, RB
Ryan Walk, Oregon, OL
Aidan O'Connell, Purdue, QB
Carlton Martial, Troy, LB
John Torchio, Wisconsin, S
Dolac began his UB career as a walk-on in 2020. Prior to the 2021 season, the West Seneca, NY native was awarded a scholarship. This year, Dolac is enjoying the best season of his career. He leads the Bulls and ranks second in the Mid-American Conference in tackles with 95 tackles and has a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss. He leads the nation with 68 solo tackles which ranks sixth in school history for a single season.
An Academic All-MAC selection, Dolac has proven to not only be a standout on the football field, but in the classroom as well.
The selection committee will announce the top three Burlsworth Trophy finalists on November 15. Finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced on December 5 at 7:00 p.m. CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to the Razorback team in 1994, worked his way to being 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 2022 semi-finalists include:
Shaun Dolac, Buffalo, LB
Payton Wilgar, BYU, LB
Chris Reynolds, Charlotte, QB
Treshaun Ward, Florida State, RB
Stetson Bennett, Georgia, QB
Josh Williams, LSU, RB
Ryan Walk, Oregon, OL
Aidan O'Connell, Purdue, QB
Carlton Martial, Troy, LB
John Torchio, Wisconsin, S
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