Football’s Sam Howard Named As Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
Nov 5, 2024 | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – Tulane football linebacker Sam Howard has been named as a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, the organization announced recently.
Howard is a junior from Birmingham, Ala. He is in his first year at Tulane after transferring and starting his career as a walk-on at Austin Peay. This season he has played and started all nine games for Tulane. He leads the nation with four fumbles recovered. He is placed third on the team with 33 tackles while totaling three stops for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup.
Howard is one of 78 players nationally from the Division I FBS level named as a nominee this season. In the award's 15th year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "GREATER", which was released in 2016.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a Walk-On and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
"The walk-on athlete is an integral part of college football, it's in the very fabric of the game," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and older brother of Brandon Burlsworth. "All of these nominees have embraced this opportunity and made the very most of it. It's certainly not an easy path, but through hard work and determination, they have made their dreams come true."
Without a D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became 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 tragically 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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2024 winner will be on December 9, at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
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Tulane has started the 2024 season with a 7-2 record and 5-0 mark in the AAC. The Green Wave earned a road 34-3 conference victory over Charlotte on Oct. 31. Running back Makhi Hughes led the team with a 117 yards rushing with a pair of rushing touchdowns It was his sixth game with 100+ yards rushing this season. For his outstanding individual efforts, he was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll for the fourth time this year. Quarterback Darian Mensah was 21-for-29 in the game for 214 yards. Mario Williams hauled in six passes for 96 yards. Micah Robinson led the defense with a pick six. The win was Tulane's sixth straight overall and the 15th consecutive AAC regular victory dating back to the 2022 campaign. Both losses for Green Wave this season have come to teams that were ranked in Associated Press Top 25 including a 34-27 home defeat to then No. 17 Kansas State on Sept. 7 and a 34-19 road loss to then No. 15 Oklahoma on Sept. 14.
Tulane leads the AAC and is tied for the national lead in defensive touchdowns with six. The program is placed second in passing efficiency in the conference with a 166.04. The team has already been honored by the league office 10 times this season with Rayshawn Pleasant (Defensive Player of the Week - Sept. 2 and Special Teams Player of the Week – Oct. 6), Darian Mensah (Weekly Honor Roll - Sept. 9 and Sept. 30), Tyler Grubbs (Weekly Honor Roll - Sept. 16), Makhi Hughes (Weekly Honor Roll - Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Oct. 28 & Nov. 4) and Gerrod Henderson (Defensive Player of the Week - Sept. 30).
Tulane's football team was chosen for third in the AAC Preseason Media Poll with 362 points plus two first-place votes at the annual conference media day.
Tulane finished the 2023 season with a mark of 11-3 and a perfect 8-0 record in the American Athletic Conference. The program concluded the campaign with the 16th bowl appearance at the GoBowling Military Bowl contest against Virginia Tech. It was the fifth time in the last six years that Tulane has appeared in a bowl game. The team is 30-7 over the last three seasons.
The school announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the team on December 8, 2023. The Huntsville, Alabama native was one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last two seasons. He guided Troy University to a 23-4 record, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks. He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of Year and was twice named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year honor. Sumrall returns to Tulane after serving as the Green Wave's Co-Defensive Coordinator for three years (2012-14). In 2013, he was a crucial part of Tulane's run to the New Orleans Bowl, the program's first postseason appearance since 2002 and third since 1988. Sumrall also was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.
Next, Tulane's football team hosts Temple (2-6, 1-3 AAC) for Homecoming on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. at Yulman Stadium in a game shown on ESPNU. The team's remaining schedule includes a home game against Memphis (November 28) at 6:30 p.m. and the road trip to take on Navy (November 16) at 11 a.m.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and the upcoming men's and women's basketball seasons can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
- TulaneGreenWave -
Howard is a junior from Birmingham, Ala. He is in his first year at Tulane after transferring and starting his career as a walk-on at Austin Peay. This season he has played and started all nine games for Tulane. He leads the nation with four fumbles recovered. He is placed third on the team with 33 tackles while totaling three stops for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup.
Howard is one of 78 players nationally from the Division I FBS level named as a nominee this season. In the award's 15th year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "GREATER", which was released in 2016.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a Walk-On and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
"The walk-on athlete is an integral part of college football, it's in the very fabric of the game," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and older brother of Brandon Burlsworth. "All of these nominees have embraced this opportunity and made the very most of it. It's certainly not an easy path, but through hard work and determination, they have made their dreams come true."
Without a D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became 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 tragically 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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2024 winner will be on December 9, at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
_______________________________________
Tulane has started the 2024 season with a 7-2 record and 5-0 mark in the AAC. The Green Wave earned a road 34-3 conference victory over Charlotte on Oct. 31. Running back Makhi Hughes led the team with a 117 yards rushing with a pair of rushing touchdowns It was his sixth game with 100+ yards rushing this season. For his outstanding individual efforts, he was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll for the fourth time this year. Quarterback Darian Mensah was 21-for-29 in the game for 214 yards. Mario Williams hauled in six passes for 96 yards. Micah Robinson led the defense with a pick six. The win was Tulane's sixth straight overall and the 15th consecutive AAC regular victory dating back to the 2022 campaign. Both losses for Green Wave this season have come to teams that were ranked in Associated Press Top 25 including a 34-27 home defeat to then No. 17 Kansas State on Sept. 7 and a 34-19 road loss to then No. 15 Oklahoma on Sept. 14.
Tulane leads the AAC and is tied for the national lead in defensive touchdowns with six. The program is placed second in passing efficiency in the conference with a 166.04. The team has already been honored by the league office 10 times this season with Rayshawn Pleasant (Defensive Player of the Week - Sept. 2 and Special Teams Player of the Week – Oct. 6), Darian Mensah (Weekly Honor Roll - Sept. 9 and Sept. 30), Tyler Grubbs (Weekly Honor Roll - Sept. 16), Makhi Hughes (Weekly Honor Roll - Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Oct. 28 & Nov. 4) and Gerrod Henderson (Defensive Player of the Week - Sept. 30).
Tulane's football team was chosen for third in the AAC Preseason Media Poll with 362 points plus two first-place votes at the annual conference media day.
Tulane finished the 2023 season with a mark of 11-3 and a perfect 8-0 record in the American Athletic Conference. The program concluded the campaign with the 16th bowl appearance at the GoBowling Military Bowl contest against Virginia Tech. It was the fifth time in the last six years that Tulane has appeared in a bowl game. The team is 30-7 over the last three seasons.
The school announced the hiring of Jon Sumrall as the 42nd head coach of the team on December 8, 2023. The Huntsville, Alabama native was one of the most successful head coaches in the country the last two seasons. He guided Troy University to a 23-4 record, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks. He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of Year and was twice named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year honor. Sumrall returns to Tulane after serving as the Green Wave's Co-Defensive Coordinator for three years (2012-14). In 2013, he was a crucial part of Tulane's run to the New Orleans Bowl, the program's first postseason appearance since 2002 and third since 1988. Sumrall also was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.
Next, Tulane's football team hosts Temple (2-6, 1-3 AAC) for Homecoming on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. at Yulman Stadium in a game shown on ESPNU. The team's remaining schedule includes a home game against Memphis (November 28) at 6:30 p.m. and the road trip to take on Navy (November 16) at 11 a.m.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and the upcoming men's and women's basketball seasons can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
- TulaneGreenWave -
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