SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Baylor senior Collin Brence has been named one of 55 nominees for the 2014 Burlsworth Trophy, the trophy and the Springdale Rotary Club announced on Tuesday.

The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding collegiate football player who began his career as a walk-on.

Brence has started all nine games at the "Bear" position (hybrid linebacker/safety) for the sixth-ranked Bears. He has racked up 30 tackles, including 15 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss. The Plano, Texas, native has seven QB hurries and two pass breakups as well.

He has been an integral part of a BU defense that ranks 10th nationally in rushing defense, 15th in total defense and 20th in scoring. The Bears lead the Big 12 in all of those categories.

Brence is a fourth-year senior, who was put on scholarship in fall camp 2014. He has 38 career games played (sixth-most on squad). Brence is a four-time Baylor Dean's List member and six-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection as well as earning a 2013 Academic All-Big 12 first team selection.

The BU defender is one of 11 linebackers named as a nominee and one of four players from the Big 12.

The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on to the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1994, worked his way to being a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft but was killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children that have limited opportunities.

Baylor has the week off, before returning to action to host Oklahoma State on Nov. 22 at McLane Stadium.

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