Arkansas’ special teams was one of the worst in the nation to start the season, but kicker Connor Limpert has been a revelation in recent weeks, and his efforts were rewarded on Tuesday with a nomination for the 2018 Burlsworth Trophy.

Named after former Razorback walk-on offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth, the Burlsworth Trophy is ‘given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.’ Limpert, along with 69 other FBS student-athletes, was selected as a nominee for his success this season.



When former Arkansas kicker Cole Hedlund struggled out of the gate last season, Limpert stepped in as the starter and was a consistent option at placekicker, finishing 8 of 9. Holding onto his role this season, Limpert has once again been a quality weapon for the Hogs.



After missing three field goals in the first four games, Limpert settled in and knocked through 10 straight field goal attempts before missing a 60-yarder just before halftime against Vanderbilt. He did, however, answer that miss with an impressive make from 55 yards out later in that game.



On the year, the junior from Allen (Tex.) is 16 of 20 (80 percent) on field goals and a perfect 27 for 27 on extra points. Limpert, who received a full-ride scholarship this season, is 100 percent inside 29 yards (4 for 4), 87.5 percent between 30 and 39 yards (7 of 8), 60 percent between 40 and 49 yards (3 of 5) and 66.6 percent from beyond 50 yards (2 of 3) with a long of 55.



“Connor’s gotten better each week, and has been a consistency for us over the last several weeks…For him to come back and hit the 55-yarder was big for him and his confidence. He hit it, and it would’ve went for 60,” head coach Chad Morris said. “His consistency is a big force for us, knowing when you get in that range you’ve got a chance.”



This will be the ninth edition of the Burlsworth Trophy since its creation in 2010. Burlsworth walked on at Arkansas in 1994 as an offensive lineman. Through a renown work ethic and a drive for greatness, he eventually became a three-year starter and an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was drafted with the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 draft by the Indianapolis Colts.



The former Hog legend never got to play in the NFL though as his life was taken much too soon when he was involved in a fatal car crash 11 days after the draft. In his honor, the Burlsworth Foundation was created to aid children with limited opportunities. The movie ‘Greater’ was released in 2016 and depicted his life on the big screen.



Last year, Washington State quarterback Luke Falk took home the 2017 Burlsworth Trophy, and former Oklahoma and current Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield won it the two years prior. No Razorback has ever won the award. In conjunction with the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club, three finalists will be named and invited to an awards ceremony in Springdale on December 3, 2018 where the winner will be announced.

