2013 Burlsworth Trophy Semi-Finalists

2013 Burlsworth Trophy Semi-Finalists

 

Jared Abbrederis, SR, Wide Receiver, University of Wisconsin
In 2011, Jared was named honorable mention All-American punt returner, ranking 3rd in the nation. He was also a consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten WR, leading his team with 933 yards. In 2012 he averaged 72.9 receiving yards/game which ranked him 2nd in the nation, and ranked 4th nationally with 837 total receiving yards. In 2013, he leads the Badgers and is 4th in the Big Ten in both receptions and receiving yards with 54 and 849 respectively, and is a Mid-season top 5 pick for the Belitnikoff Award. Jared is a 3-time Nominee and 2-time Semi-Finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy.

Max Copeland, SR, Guard, University of Missouri
When Max arrived on campus in 2009, he quickly established himself as one of the hardest workers on the team. After working on the scout team for 3 years, he started 11 games at guard in 2012, and after the season he was given the Unsung Hero Award for his outstanding dedication to the program. In 2013, Max is closing out his career in style, leading his team on the field and in the locker room. He is a crucial part of a Mizzou team that has been one of the biggest surprises in all of college football. Missouri is currently 9-1, 5-1 in the SEC, and ranked 8th in the BCS.

Jake Doughty, SR, Linebacker, Utah State University
Jake has played in every game for USU the last 4 years, including starting every game the last 2 seasons. In his first 2 seasons, Jake totaled 46 tackles in limited action. In 2012, he earned 1st team All-WAC honors after leading the team, and ranking 2nd in the conference with 109 tackles. This year, in his senior campaign, he is leading the team and ranks 7th nationally with 108 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.

Justin Hardy, JR, Wide Receiver, East Carolina University
Starting 30 of 33 games, Justin owns the school record for career receiving TDs (24) and recently became the first receiver in program history to have consecutive 1,000 yard seasons . He currently ranks second on ECU’s all-time receptions and receiving yards ledgers. Justin established new single-game school records for receiving yards and receptions at Tulane in 2013, besting his 16 catch, 191-yard game in the season opener against Old Dominion. He has nine career 100-yard and eight double-digit career reception games.

Spencer Long, SR, Guard, University of Nebraska
In 2011, Spencer was one of only 3 linemen to start every game, and earned 2nd team All-Big Ten honors. As a junior, he started every game and helped lead the team to rank 8th nationally in rushing. He was voted 1st team All-Big Ten, and named 2nd team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation. Opening 2013, Spencer was on the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award Watch Lists. He started each of the first 6 games, before suffering a season ending injury on the opening drive versus Purdue. He is a 2-time Semi-Finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy.

Cody Mandell, SR, Punter, University of Alabama
Cody Mandell has handled the punting duties each of the last four years for the University of Alabama, including both of the last two National Championship seasons. His punting average has increased every year that he has been at Alabama and the Crimson Tide is presently ranked #1 again. Due to Alabama’s unprecedented success, Cody has more limited opportunities to punt than punters at other FBS universities. However, his averages rank him 1st in the SEC and tied for 2nd nationally if his average number of punts were high enough for him to qualify.

Baker Mayfield, FR, Quarterback, Texas Tech University
Baker is the first true freshman to ever start at quarterback in a season opener in Texas Tech history. It is believed that he is the first true Freshman walk-on to have ever started a season opener at quarterback for “any” BCS program. He was named Mid-season Big 12 Freshman MVP. He was also honored as AT&T All-American National Player of the Week (Sept. 1), as well as Manning Award Quarterback of the Week (Sept. 3). He has thrown for 2,078 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Ryan Mueller, JR, Defensive End, Kansas State University
After redshirting in 2010, Mueller played in every game in 2011. In 2012, he played in all 13 games again and finished the season with 14 tackles and 2 sacks. This year, as a junior, he currently leads the Big 12 in sacks (10.0) and tackles for loss (16.0), and ranks 5th and 7th nationally in those departments. He is now on KSU’s single season top 10 list for sacks. Ryan was named to the mid-season All-Big-12 performer List.

Jack Tyler, SR, Linebacker, Virginia Tech
As a junior, Jack played in every game including starts in the ACC Championship Game against Clemson, and the Sugar Bowl against Michigan. After the season, Jack earned the Frank O. Moseley Award given to the Hokies’ defensive player who exhibits the most hustle during the off-season workouts. In 2013, Jack is one of the Virginia Tech’s 4 permanent captains. He has started every game, including the season opener against Alabama where he had 8 tackles and one sack. Jack leads his team with 89 total tackles this season.

Trey Watts, SR, Running Back, University of Tulsa
As a sophomore, Trey burst onto the scene leading his team with 1,629 all-purpose yards. The next year, in 2012, he earned 2nd team honors as a kick returner and honorable mention as a running back for the All-CUSA Team. He also earned MVP of the CUSA Championship Game and Liberty Bowl. In his senior year he was named to the Watch Lists for the Doak Walker, Maxwell, and Paul Hornung Awards. He has amassed 1,026 rushing and 372 receiving, while ranking 5th in the nation in all-purpose yards this year. He ranks 2nd in school history with over 5,000 all-purpose yards. Trey is the son of former Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterback and Oklahoma Congressman, J. C. Watts.