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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- Texas A&M outside linebacker Caleb Russell is one of 50 players nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club announced. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.<br/><br/>Russell, a junior sport management major from Midlothian, Texas, has started three games at the Aggies' "joker" position and seen action in every game. He's contributed 25 tackles, including 15 solo stops, and has also been one of the Aggies' most consistent pass rushers. Coming off the edge, Russell has two quarterback sacks and two more QB hurries.<br/> <br/>A non-scholarship player at A&M for his first two seasons, Russell was surprised earlier this fall when Aggie head coach Mike Sherman rewarded his hard work and perseverance with a scholarship prior to the season-opener with SMU. During his career, Russell has twice earned the honor of serving as Texas A&M's 12th Man, including this year against SMU.<br/> <br/>"He has a tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage," Sherman said. "He's using his hands extremely well and he's very difficult when he's playing over a tight end-he causes our tight ends a lot of havoc-because he's so strong. He still has a way to go as a football player, but he's made so much progress, it's not even funny how far he's come."<br/> <br/>The 2011 Burlsworth Trophy nominees are:<br/>Player, Class, Position, School<br/>Will Lowery, JR, Defensive Back, Alabama<br/>John Bonano, SR, Kicker, Arizona<br/>Cameron Kastl, SR, Long Snapper, Arizona State<br/>Dylan Breeding, JR, Punter, Arkansas<br/>Tyler Shoemaker, SR, Wide Receiver, Boise State<br/>Jameson Frazier, SR, Outside Linebacker, Brigham Young<br/>Ronnie Weaver, SR, Running Back, Central Florida<br/>Philip Price, SR, Offensive Tackle, Clemson<br/>Travis Sandersfeld, SR, Defensive Back, Colorado<br/>James Skelton, JR, Linebacker, Colorado State<br/>Johnny McEntee, JR, Quarterback, Connecticut<br/>Alex King, SR, Punter, Duke<br/>Andrew Bodenheimer, JR, Outside Receiver, East Carolina<br/>David Lerner, SR, Punter, Florida<br/>Marcus Bartels, SR, Safety, Florida Atlantic<br/>Bryant Moniz, SR, Quarterback, Hawaii<br/>Patrick Edwards, SR, Wide Receiver, Houston<br/>Derek Dimke, SR, Kicker, Illinois<br/>Tom Nardo, SR, Defensive Tackle, Iowa<br/>Steven Johnson, SR, Linebacker, Kansas<br/>B.J. Finney, FR, Center, Kansas State<br/>Lee Stalker, SR, Defensive Lineman, Kent State<br/>Craig McIntosh, JR, Kicker, Kentucky<br/>Jeremiah Taylor, SOPH, Defensive End, Marshall<br/>Mitch Huelsing, JR, Safety, Memphis<br/>Jordan Kovacs, JR, Safety, Michigan<br/>Anthony Amos, JR, Wide Receiver, Middle Tennessee<br/>Bryson Rose, JR, Kicker, Mississippi<br/>Brandon Wilson, JR, Linebacker, Mississippi State<br/>Trey Barrow, JR, Punter/Place Kicker, Missouri<br/>Mike Caputo, SR, Offensive Lineman, Nebraska<br/>David Ruffer, SR, Kicker, Notre Dame<br/>Nate Ebner, SR, Defensive Back, Ohio State<br/>Dominique Whaley, JR, Running Back, Oklahoma<br/>Mike Remmers, SR, Left Tackle, Oregon State<br/>Chas Alecxih, SR, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh<br/>Kevin Ballinger, SR, Long Snapper, Purdue<br/>Matt Nordstrom, SR, Linebacker, Rice<br/>Chandler Jones, SOPH, Wide Receiver, San Jose State<br/>Dalton Wilson, JR, Fullback, South Carolina<br/>Gilbert "Chaz" Hine, SR, Center, South Florida<br/>Austin Davis, SR, Quarterback, Southern Mississippi<br/>Griff Whalen, SR, Wide Receiver, Stanford<br/>Caleb Russell, JR, Linebacker, Texas A&M<br/>Wesley Miller, FR, Safety, UTEP<br/>A.J. Lindeman, JR, Offensive Lineman, Toledo<br/>Trey Watts, SOPH, Running Back, Tulsa<br/>Ross Cumming, SR, Fullback, USC<br/>Andrew Abbott, JR, Cornerback, UCLA<br/>Jared Abbrederis, SOPH, Wide Receiver, WisconsinThe Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without any Division 1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to the Arkansas Razorbacks 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 that have limited opportunities.<br/> <br/>"With the Burlsworth Trophy only in its second year, the award has become exactly what we envisioned. We are thrilled to see not only the quality of the young men and their work ethics, but these guys are incredible players," said Marty Burlsworth, Brandon's brother, and also chairman and CEO of both The Burlsworth Foundation and The Burlsworth Trophy. "Each player has contributed greatly to his team and we look forward to getting to know the stories behind each one of this year's nominees."