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The University of Utah Athletics
Bryson Barnes Named Nominee For Burlsworth Trophy
10/31/2023 12:03 PM | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Former walk-on and current Utah Football starting quarterback Bryson Barnes has been named a nominee for the 2023 Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on.
The award, which is in its 14th year, is named after Brandon Burlsworth, a former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Barnes is one of 73 nominees from FBS schools with the winner being named on Dec. 4.
The Milford, Utah, native has played in 20 career games with six starts, playing in seven games in 2023 with five starts. He is 5-1 as the starter, leading the Utes to four victories in 2023 and against Washington State in 2022 for his first-career start.
Barnes walked on to the team in 2020, not seeing action in a game until the Weber State game in 2021. It wasn't until the Rose Bowl that season that fans truly got a taste of the grit that Barnes brings to the field as he famously entered the game in the fourth quarter in place of an injured Cameron Rising.
As ESPN talent Chris Fowler proclaimed that a pig farmer was entering the game, it made Barnes go viral for his off the field activities – and also for tying the game 45-45 with 1:54 to go on a 15-yard passing touchdown.
Fast forward to 2022 and Barnes played in 10 of Utah's 14 games, including his first-career start against Washington State. Finding out just five minutes before game time, Barnes came in and led the Utes to victory, finishing with a career-high at the time of 175 passing yards and 51 rushing yards.
Barnes also was thrust into the spotlight once against in the Rose Bowl, going 10-of-19 passing for 112 yards and a touchdown against Penn State for an injured Rising. He finished the season 37-of-57 passing for 430 yards (4 TD), adding 20 carries for 116 yards.
In 2023, Barnes has played in seven games with five starts, going 4-1 as the starter this season. He earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for his career-best performance in Utah's win at USC, going for a career-high 235 passing yards (14-of-23) with 10 rushes for 57 yards and a rushing score.
He was also integral in his start at Florida to start the year, going 12-of-18 passing for 159 yards, throwing for a career-long 70-yarder to Money Parks for a touchdown, also rushing for a five-yard touchdown. It was after the Florida game that Barnes would officially be put on scholarship.
Through 20 career games, Barnes has 1,222 passing yards (106-of-177, 60%) with nine touchdowns, also adding 63 rushes for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
Utah will play at home for the second week in a row with the Arizona State Sun Devils coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4. The game is set for a 12 p.m. MT kick and will air on Pac-12 Networks.
The award, which is in its 14th year, is named after Brandon Burlsworth, a former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Barnes is one of 73 nominees from FBS schools with the winner being named on Dec. 4.
The Milford, Utah, native has played in 20 career games with six starts, playing in seven games in 2023 with five starts. He is 5-1 as the starter, leading the Utes to four victories in 2023 and against Washington State in 2022 for his first-career start.
Barnes walked on to the team in 2020, not seeing action in a game until the Weber State game in 2021. It wasn't until the Rose Bowl that season that fans truly got a taste of the grit that Barnes brings to the field as he famously entered the game in the fourth quarter in place of an injured Cameron Rising.
As ESPN talent Chris Fowler proclaimed that a pig farmer was entering the game, it made Barnes go viral for his off the field activities – and also for tying the game 45-45 with 1:54 to go on a 15-yard passing touchdown.
Fast forward to 2022 and Barnes played in 10 of Utah's 14 games, including his first-career start against Washington State. Finding out just five minutes before game time, Barnes came in and led the Utes to victory, finishing with a career-high at the time of 175 passing yards and 51 rushing yards.
Barnes also was thrust into the spotlight once against in the Rose Bowl, going 10-of-19 passing for 112 yards and a touchdown against Penn State for an injured Rising. He finished the season 37-of-57 passing for 430 yards (4 TD), adding 20 carries for 116 yards.
In 2023, Barnes has played in seven games with five starts, going 4-1 as the starter this season. He earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for his career-best performance in Utah's win at USC, going for a career-high 235 passing yards (14-of-23) with 10 rushes for 57 yards and a rushing score.
He was also integral in his start at Florida to start the year, going 12-of-18 passing for 159 yards, throwing for a career-long 70-yarder to Money Parks for a touchdown, also rushing for a five-yard touchdown. It was after the Florida game that Barnes would officially be put on scholarship.
Through 20 career games, Barnes has 1,222 passing yards (106-of-177, 60%) with nine touchdowns, also adding 63 rushes for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
UP NEXT
Utah will play at home for the second week in a row with the Arizona State Sun Devils coming to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4. The game is set for a 12 p.m. MT kick and will air on Pac-12 Networks.
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