South Carolina's Maurice Brown II Named Burlsworth Nominee
The senior tight end, a former Walk-On, is nominated for the award for a second straight season.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
South Carolina tight end Maurice Brown II was named a 2026 Burlsworth Trophy nominee on Friday, his second consecutive nomination. The award honors the most outstanding player who began his college career as a Walk-On.
Why it matters
The nomination recognizes a Walk-On's rise to a bigger role on a South Carolina team that leads the SEC in rushing. Brown's selection reflects the program's emphasis on developing players who began without scholarships.
Brown posted career highs of 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns this season, while South Carolina averages 217.5 rushing yards per game to lead the SEC. The stub does not say whether the nominee list will narrow before the award is presented.
The players
Maurice Brown II
Maurice Brown II is a senior tight end at South Carolina who began his college career as a Walk-On and has become a contributor in the Gamecocks' offense.
Burlsworth Trophy
The Burlsworth Trophy is an annual award established in 2010 that honors the most outstanding college football player who began his career as a Walk-On and is named for Arkansas Razorback Brandon Burlsworth.
The details
Brown is a senior and a Walk-On who has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy for the second straight season. The 2026 nominee list includes 70 players, and Brown's blocking contributes to South Carolina's rushing attack.
Timeline
2010: The Burlsworth Trophy was created to honor Walk-On athletes.
2026 season: Brown posts career highs and earns his nomination.
Friday, November 6, 2026: Brown is named a Burlsworth Trophy nominee.
Season Trajectory
The Burlsworth Trophy, created in 2010 to honor Walk-On athletes, provides a benchmark for recognizing players who rise from non-scholarship roles. Brown's repeat nomination places him among the program's notable Walk-On contributors this season.
Brown's nomination is the latest recognition of a Walk-On earning a larger role on the roster. Fans tracking South Carolina's receiving and tight end production can note his season highs of 10 catches, 100 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The takeaway
Brown's rise from Walk-On to award nominee shows how depth players can earn national recognition. Readers following South Carolina football can track whether his production continues into the final stretch of the season.
Further reading
For more on the Gamecocks' season, see South Carolina Football.
