Former Alabama walk-on Michael Nysewander is getting national attention.
The senior who plays tight end, fullback and H-back blocked for 250 rushing yards and three touchdowns last week in Alabama’s 30-16 victory over LSU.
Hard work is starting to pay off for the Hoover (Ala.) native.
He received national recognition Tuesday from the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club. Nysewander was one of 55 players nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. The award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding player that started his career as a walk-on.
A walk-on is an individual who starts his first season of Division I football or any other sport without financial aid or other funds from a university’s athletic department. The Burlsworth Trophy stands for honor, character, hard work and determination, while competing at the highest level.
Nysewander and the Crimson Tide will face Mississippi State this weekend.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
