Brandon Burlsworth is perhaps the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. Brandon had always dreamed of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but was considered too short and too fat to play Division I. Undeterred, Brandon took a big risk and walked on in 1994. Written off by fellow teammates and coaches, Brandon displayed dogged determination in the face of staggering odds. An extremely devoted Christian, Brandon never cursed or drank. He was genuinely humble and low-key. He worked harder than anybody, on and off the field, becoming the first Razorback to earn a Bachelor's "and" Master's degree while still playing. The overly-fat kid who was once an embarrassment to his teammates and an annoyance to his coaches, ended up becoming the most respected player in the history of the program, changing the lives of all he touched. Eleven days after being drafted into the NFL, Brandon was tragically killed in a car accident, crushing all who knew him. Brandon was "too good to be true". How could something like that happen to this guy? The age-old question slammed down upon all with terrible force: "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Brandon's story is more than mere football. It is the ultimate expression of the question "Why?" Greater will provide hope and inspiration as it strives to wrestle with this challenge and find reasons to trust. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5dbEGzKA50
Burlsworth graduated from Harrison High School in 1994, where he was an All-State selection, and was a recruited walk-on football player at the University of Arkansas, despite the fact that he had scholarship offers from some smaller universities. After he redshirted his first year (1994), Burlsworth transformed his pudgy 300 lbs into a svelte 260 lbs, and over the next two years, built himself back up to a muscular 300 lbs offensive guard. By his sophomore season in 1996, he had earned a scholarship and a starting position at right guard on the offensive line.
Before his junior season in 1997, he was selected to be one of the team captains. Brandon's efforts earned him 1st team All-SEC honors in 1997 and 1998, and he was selected for the 1998 College Football All-America Team. He was Arkansas' first All-American player since 1993, and their first player selected to a 1st team squad since 1989. He was also named to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll every year from 1995–1998.[1] Burlsworth played on two SEC Western Division championship Razorback football teams (1995, 1998).[2]
Burlsworth graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. He was the first Razorback football player to complete a master's degree before playing in his final game. Shortly after graduating, he was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
Shortly after his death, Brandon's jersey number, 77, was permanently retired in a ceremony at Arkansas' first home game of the 1999 season. It is only the second number ever retired (Clyde Scott) by the University of Arkansas. Burlsworth's locker in the Razorback locker room is encased in glass, preserved for future players and fans, in his honor.
Brandon was selected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, and the University of Arkansas Letterman's Association Hall of Honor in 2004.
