Eagles' Zabal Nominated for Burlsworth Trophy
November 05, 2025 | Football
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Boston College linebacker Juan Zabal was named a 2025 Burlsworth Trophy nominee, the award committee announced Tuesday evening.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. There were 79 players from Division I FBS schools nominated for the award, which is in its 16th year.Â
After not receiving any Division I scholarship offers out of high school, Zabal walked on at Boston College in 2022. Zabal has cemented himself as a core special teamer for the Eagles after redshirting his freshman season, appearing in 18 games over the last three seasons.Â
"Even with all the changes in college football, the walk-on athlete is still enormously impactful," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy. "All of these nominees have a passion for the game and that passion can spread throughout a team. That's what makes these guys special. College football is what it is today because of players that had a dream and were willing to put in the work to make their dreams come true."Â
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2025 winner will be on Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. CT at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. There were 79 players from Division I FBS schools nominated for the award, which is in its 16th year.Â
After not receiving any Division I scholarship offers out of high school, Zabal walked on at Boston College in 2022. Zabal has cemented himself as a core special teamer for the Eagles after redshirting his freshman season, appearing in 18 games over the last three seasons.Â
"Even with all the changes in college football, the walk-on athlete is still enormously impactful," said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy. "All of these nominees have a passion for the game and that passion can spread throughout a team. That's what makes these guys special. College football is what it is today because of players that had a dream and were willing to put in the work to make their dreams come true."Â
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2025 winner will be on Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. CT at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Players Mentioned
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