NORMAN — University of Oklahoma redshirt senior offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.

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 nine games at right guard this season and is part of an offensive line that has paved the way for OU to average 137.0 rushing yards and 373.7 total yards per game and is tied for first nationally by converting all of its red zone opportunities into points (28 for 28).

He 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.

Nwaiwu 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. 

Former Sooner Baker Mayfield won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2016 and '17.  No. 11/10 Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2 SEC) travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to face No. 4/4 Alabama (8-1, 6-0 SEC) on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ABC.

The selection committee will announce the top three Burlsworth Trophy finalists on November 18. The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2025 winner will be held on December 8, at 7:00 p.m. CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.

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.

For more information about the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), visit ncfaa.org.