Carlton Martial Named Burlsworth Trophy Nominee

TROY, Ala. – 2021 Burlsworth Trophy finalist Carlton Martial has one more opportunity to take home the award as he was named a nominee for the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy, which is presented to the nation's top player who began their career as a walk-on.

Martial enters Troy's game at Louisiana this weekend just 33 tackles shy of becoming the all-time leader in NCAA FBS history in career tackles. A native of Mobile, Ala., Martial is the only player at the FBS level since at least 2000 to have at least 405 tackles, six interceptions and 41 tackles for loss in a career.

He ranks 14^th nationally this season, averaging 10.14 tackles per game, and is the 15^th-rated linebacker in the country per Pro Football Focus and the 12^th-best against the run. Of the top 14 tacklers nationally this season, Martial is one of just four players who average more tackles on the road than at home.

After he missed the game at App State with an injury, he bounced back the next week to record 18 tackles in Troy's victory over Marshall. Martial's third tackle against the Thundering Herd was the 460^th of his career, making him the all-time leading tackler in Sun Belt Conference history.

Martial was a finalist for the award last year, along with Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett and Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan; Morgan was named the winner.

The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. In addition, each nominee must have started his first season of participation with FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.

The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony will honor the three finalists and announce the 2022 winner on Dec. 5 at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Troy University Athletics

Carlton Martial Named Burlsworth Trophy Nominee

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