FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.. – The California football program has yet another strong candidate for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2023 in Jack Endries and on Tuesday the redshirt freshmen tight end was announced as the Golden Bears' nominee. The honor is given annually to the most outstanding Football Bowl Subdivision player in the nation who began his FBS career as a walk-on.

The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of the late Brandon Burlsworth, an offensive lineman who walked onto the Arkansas football team in 1994 without a single scholarship offer but eventually earned 1998 All-American honors. Burlsworth was selected in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts but tragically killed in a car accident 11 days after the draft. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those who have limited opportunities. Burlsworth's life is the subject of the major motion picture "Greater" released in 2016.

Cal's Patrick Laird and Ashtyn Davis were finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. Laird is currently on the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Davis is on the active roster of the New York Jets.

The 2023 Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and announce the winner will be held on Dec. 4, at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.

Below are notes on Endries with his extended bio available by clicking on his name.
 
Jack Endries, TE, 6-4, 230, R-Fr., 2nd Season At Cal (Danville, CA/Monte Vista HS)
– One of only two Cal offensive players to have started each of the team's first eight games
– Has contributed 20 receptions, 249 yards receiving, and one touchdown catch
– Has at least one reception in seven of his eight games, including a career-high seven in his most recent contest as a primary target for a Cal offense that scored its' second-most points ever against a USC team in a 50-49 defeat to the No. 24-ranked Trojans
– Has more than 50 yards receiving in three of his last five contests
– Has been a key blocker for the Pac-12 individual leader and ninth-leading rusher in the nation Jaydn Ott (108.0 ypg, No. 16 NCAA), and a rushing offense that ranks third in the Pac-12 and 19th nationally with an average of 200.5 yards per game that is the most by a Cal since 2005
– Redshirted and did not play as a true freshman in 2022