University of North Texas Athletics
Mestemaker Named a Finalist for Burlsworth Trophy
11/18/2025 1:44:00 PM | Football
The award is presented to the most outstanding player who began as a walk-on
DENTON, Texas – UNT quarterback Drew Mestemaker was announced Tuesday as one of three finalists for the 16th annual Burlsworth Trophy, presented each year to the most outstanding college football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.
Mestemaker joins Oklahoma offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu and Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe on the finalist list. A total of 79 schools nominated a player for the 2025 award, which was narrowed to 10 semifinalists last week. The winner will be announced Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The former walk-on from Austin, Texas, has posted the eighth 3,000-yard passing season in program history, reaching the milestone on his final pass against UAB on Saturday, Nov. 15. His 23 passing touchdowns and 305.6 yards of total offense per game rank in the top 10 in the FBS as he has led North Texas to the nation's top scoring offense, averaging 45.3 points per game.
At 9-1, the No. 22 Mean Green made the program's first appearance in the AP Top 25 since 1959 and remain in the hunt in the American Conference race and for a College Football Playoff berth.
-- GMG --
