#HawaiiFB

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Hawai'i junior defensive linemanwas among a group of 69 players nominated for the 2018 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on.The announcement was made by the Burslworth Trophy in conjunction with the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club. The award is in its ninth year and is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman who was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days after being selected as the 63overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.Padello joined UH as a preferred walk-on in 2016 out of Mililani High School. The 6-foot junior has appeared in all 36 games played since his freshman season and currently leads the team and Mountain West with seven sacks this year.Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with an FBS program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on December 3, 2018 in Springdale, Ark., to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2018 winner.