Weaver earns Burlsworth Trophy nomination
11/10/2024 1:32:00 PM | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sam Houston defensive back Caleb Weaver was one of 78 players from across the country nominated for the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy, trophy officials announced last week.Â
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.Â
In the award's fifteenth year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman.Â
Weaver is in his third season with the Bearkats and has established himself as one of the top defenders in Conference USA in 2024. The Jersey Village product leads the league with four interceptions and is second with nine total passes defended. Additionally, he ranks second in CUSA with 49 solo tackles and 10th with 62 total stops this year.Â
He was named Conference USA's Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season after the win over Hawaii when he finished with three stops, three pass breakups and an interception against the Warriors' pass-heavy attack.Â
Adding a fumble recovery to his four interceptions for five total takeaways, Weaver's exploits have helped the Kats tie for the league lead with 18 total takeaways this season.Â
The Kats' defense as a whole has been outstanding this season, and even better of late with only 10 points allowed over the past two games. In all, Sam Houston leads CUSA in scoring defense and is second in total defense in 2024. Â
Sam Houston will put an end to an 18-day layoff next Saturday when the Kats make their first-ever trip to Kennesaw State for a battle with the Owls on November 16.
