FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Burlsworth Trophy announced Tuesday that Cal senior safety/kick returner Ashtyn Davis is one of three national finalists for the prestigious honor given annually to the nation's most outstanding FBS player who began his career as a walk-on.

The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who without a single scholarship offer walked on to the Arkansas football team in 1994 and eventually became a three-year starter and 1998 All-American. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of 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 who have limited opportunities. Burlworth's life is also the subject of the major motion picture "Greater" released in 2016.

The three finalists will be honored and the winner of this year's Burlsworth Trophy announced at a ceremony hosted by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation in conjunction with the Springdale Rotary Club on Monday, Dec. 9, in Springdale, Ark.

Cal's Patrick Laird was one of three finalists for the prestigious honor and attended the luncheon in 2018.

Below are notes on Davis with extended bios available by clicking on his name.

Ashtyn Davis, S, 6-1, 200, RSr., 3L, Santa Cruz, CA (Santa Cruz HS)

Senior (2019)

• Invited to the 2020 Senior Bowl and projected to be an early-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft

• One of three finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy given annually to the nation's top player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on

• Earned second-team midseason All-American honors from both Athlon Sports and The Athletic, while he was also a first-team All-Pac-12 selection of the Bay Area News Group and second-team choice of SB Nation
• Has recorded 49 tackles to rank third on the team, a team-high two fumble recoveries, a team-high-tying one interception that he returned a team-high and team-long 31 yards, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups
• Also leads the team with seven kick returns for 149 yards while adding two punt returns for 33 yards both over the last two contests in the first action of his five-year career as a punt returner to total 213 all-purpose yards

• One of the team's 10 players to start all 10 games including seven on the defensive side of the ball

Cal Career (2015 – Present)

• Cal's J. Scott Duncan Award as its Most Valuable Player on Special Teams as both a 2016 redshirt freshman and 2017 sophomore
• Has played in all 47 games possible over the last three-plus seasons with 32 starts including each of the last 29 contests
• Has career defensive totals of 163 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss (-4 yards), six interceptions that he has returned for 121 yards and one touchdown, 12 pass breakups, 18 passes defended, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries

• Has a total of 1758 all-purpose yards, adding 70 kick returns for 1604 yards and one touchdown as well as two punt returns for 33 yards