Redshirt senior offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu was named one of three finalists for the 16th Burlsworth Trophy
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma redshirt senior offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu was named one of three finalists for the 16th Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on, the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation announced Tuesday.
Nwaiwu is joined on the list of finalists by North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker and Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe.Nwaiwu transferred to Oklahoma in January 2024 after spending his first three collegiate years at the University of North Texas, where he initially walked on to the football team.
Since joining the Sooners, he has become Oklahoma's most consistent offensive lineman and is OU's only offensive player to start every game over the last two seasons.
The Coppell, Texas, product has started all 10 games at right guard this season and is part of an offensive line that has paved the way for OU to average 130.7 rushing yards and 357.5 total yards per game and is tied for first nationally by converting all of its red zone opportunities into points (31 for 31).
He has allowed only two pressures and no sacks or quarterback hits on 374 pass blocking snaps and has recorded 20 knockdowns on 264 run blocking snaps this season.
Nwaiwu started all 13 games at right guard last season and was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in a Nov. 23 win over No. 7 Alabama as the Sooners rushed for 257 yards.
He redshirted his first season at North Texas, then started 12 of the team's 14 games in 2022 en route to freshman All-America honors.
In all, he has started in 40 of his 47 career games.
The Burlsworth Trophy finalists will be honored and the winner of the 2025 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.
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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
Former Sooner Baker Mayfield won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2016 and '17.
No. 8/8 Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2 SEC) plays host to No. 23/21 Missouri (7-3, 3-3 SEC) Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
For more information about the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), visit ncfaa.org.