DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University junior linebacker
Jaden Dolphin has been nominated for the 2023 Burlsworth Trophy.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding Football Bowl Subdivision player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Dolphin, a Des Plaines, Illinois, native and Maine West High School product, is one of 73 players nominated for the award in 2023.
Dolphin was selected by his teammates as one of five permanent team captains this year and has started all nine games at linebacker. He has amassed 45 tackles to rank second on the team and his 28 solo stops lead the Huskies. He is also tied for the team lead in pass break ups with three. Dolphin made a season high eight tackles in NIU's October 21 win over Eastern Michigan.
An IHSA All-State selection at both tight end and defensive end during a stellar career at Maine West, Dolphin walked on to the Huskie football team in 2020 as a safety. After playing in all six games on special team during the COVID-19 season, he played in every game in 2021, seeing action at the "huskie" hybrid safety/linebacker position and on special teams and was awarded a scholarship.
Dolphin moved to linebacker in 2022 where he started the last four games of the year, and finished the season with 52 tackles, 20 solo. His career totals now stand at 136 tackles in 39 games played with nine tackles for loss and five pass break ups.
The Burlsworth Trophy will be awarded for the 14th time in 2023. The trophy is named after Brandon Burlsworth, a former walk-on and All-American offensive lineman at Arkansas.
Dolphin and the Huskies will be back in action on Tuesday, November 7 at 6 p.m. against Ball State at Huskie Stadium. Purchase tickets for the final two Huskie home games now at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).
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