The first Burlsworth Trophy honoring a non-scholarship football player has been given to Georgia Tech center and Aerospace Engineering alumnus Sean Bedford.  The award, given by the Springdale, Arkansas, Rotary Club, goes to an NCAA Division I athlete who began his college football career as a walk-on.  The award is given in memory of Brandon Burlsworth, who earned All-American honors after walking on at Arkansas. Burlsworth died in a 1999 traffic accident.  Five finalists were considered for the presentation made Monday.

Bedford, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., spent his first two seasons at Georgia Tech on the defensive scout team. He switched to the offense and played as the Yellow Jackets' center in 2009-2010.  He has been nominated for numerous national awards and honors throughout his years on Tech's team, including the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, the Outland Trophy, and the Rimington Trophy.