Kansas State sophomore center B.J. Finney is one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, the award’s selection committee announced Tuesday.

Finney is the first K-State player to be named a semifinalist for the award, which is given to the most outstanding football player in America that began his career as a walk-on. He is also the only sophomore semifinalist as the list features seven seniors and two juniors.

A two-year starter, Finney is the anchor of a Wildcat offensive line that has helped K-State rank 10th nationally in scoring offense at 40.5 points per game, while the Wildcats are fifth nationally with 36 rushing touchdowns. The Andale, Kan., product, who is also a candidate for the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center, has started each of the last 24 games dating back to last season, including the last 23 at center.

A walk-on prior to the 2010 season, Finney was named Kansas State’s Red Raider Award winner that year as the top contributor on the scout squad.

The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without one Division I scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to Arkansas 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.

Following an off week, No. 6 Kansas State (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) will host 15th-ranked Texas (8-2, 5-2) on Saturday, December 1, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

— KSU Sports Information —