From staff reports
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin was honored Monday with the Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the nation's top senior collegiate football player who was formerly a walk-on.
McGloin becomes the third player to win the award, joining Austin Davis of Southern Mississippi in 2011 and Georgia Tech's Sean Bedford in 2010.
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Penn State’s Matt McGloin won the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s best former walk-on college football player.
McGloin beat out fellow finalists Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs and San Jose State tackle David Quessenberry. A total of 50 players were nominated for the award.
"(Monday) took me back to the beginning of my career," McGloin said in a press release. "I looked back at what I have gone through and the journey that I have taken at Penn State and to be recognized for my accomplishments and the way that I got to Penn State is a true blessing."
The senior quarterback let the Big Ten in passing yards with 272.2 per game and also threw a league-high 24 touchdown passes. He led the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record despite crippling NCAA sanctions.
"It's great for the university," McGloin said. "To be honored as the top walk-on for this year's graduation class is a great honor. I wouldn't have been able to be here without the support of my family, tammates, coaches and fans."
McGloin now holds a number of Penn State career and single-season passing records. He is the all-time Nittany Lions leader in TD passes (46) and 300-yard passing games (6).
The Scranton native is the first former walk-on to start at quarterback for Penn State.
McGloin graduated in May with his degree in journalism and is pursuing a second degree, in telecommunications.
The Burlsworth Trophy is presented by the Springfield Rotary Club in Arkansas in honor of former University of Arkansas All-American and walk-on offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth, who died in an automobile accident just days after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
