MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin wide receiver Jared Abbrederis has been named as one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, presented annually to the most outstanding college player that began his career as a walk-on.
Abbrederis, a fourth-year junior, earned a scholarship before the 2012 season. He is the Badgers' leading receiver and ranks second in the Big Ten, averaging 72.9 receiving yards per game. The Wautoma, Wis., native also ranks fourth among active FBS players with an average of 16.8 yards per reception for his career. He is tied for sixth in Wisconsin history with 12 career touchdown passes.
This season, Abbrederis became the first Wisconsin player to record three consecutive 100-yard receiving games since Lee Evans accomplished the feat in 2003. Abbrederis registered 147 yards against UTEP, 142 yards against Nebraska and 117 yards against Illinois.
Abbrederis is one of 73 walk-ons who have earned a scholarship at Wisconsin since former coach Barry Alvarez began utilizing the walk-on program in 1990. He is one of seven former walk-ons on Wisconsin's current roster who are regular starters for the Badgers this season.
The Burlsworth Trophy is named for Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on at Arkansas and developed into a three-year starter and All-American for the Razorbacks. Burlsworth was killed in a car accident shortly after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft.
Three finalists will be selected from the semifinalist pool on Nov. 27, and the winner will be announced Dec. 3 at a banquet in Springdale, Ark.
Fans can vote for their choice from Nov. 20-26 by logging on to www.burlsworthtrophy.com. The fan votes will be combined with the votes of a selection committee to determine the finalists.
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