Baker Named Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas senior punter Toby Baker was named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2016 Burlsworth Trophy, the Burlsworth Trophy selection committee and the Springdale Rotary Club announced Tuesday.

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

Baker has punted 40 times for 1,790 yards, ranking third in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and 16th nationally with a 44.8 average. Baker has boomed 17 punts of 50 yards or longer, including a season-best 59-yarder in Arkansas’ 41-38 win in double-overtime at then-No. 15 TCU in Week 2. Baker has shown tremendous accuracy, placing 13 punts inside the 20-yard line with only three touchbacks. Of his 40 punts, 13 have been returned, while 15 have been fair caught.

Baker’s 17 punts of 50-plus yards are 11 more than his career total entering the season. He has pinned at least one punt inside the 20 in 10 straight games he’s punted in dating back to 2015.

The Memphis, Tennessee, native was one of three Arkansas walk-ons awarded a scholarship after the 2015 regular season, prior to the 2016 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

The winner of the 2016 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced Dec. 5 at a banquet in Springdale, Arkansas, sponsored by the Springdale Rotary Club.

The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without one Division I scholarship offer, Burlsworth walked on to the Arkansas football team 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 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, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.

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