Troy University Athletics
Carlton Martial Named Semifinalist for Burlsworth Trophy, On Verge of Breaking NCAA Tackles Record
11/8/2022 2:06:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – On the verge of becoming the all-time leading tackler in NCAA FBS history, Troy senior linebacker Carlton Martial has been named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy for the third straight season, the Burlsworth Trust announced Tuesday.
Presented annually to the nation's top player who began their career as a walk-on, the Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, a former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American. Without one DI scholarship offer, Burlsworth walked on at Arkansas in 1994, eventually becoming a three-year starter on the offensive line and an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later.
Martial enters Troy's game against Army this weekend 20 tackles shy of passing Northwestern's Tim McGarigle for the all-time lead at the FBS level with 546 career tackles.
Named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for the second time this season, Martial is 10thnationally, averaging 10.5 tackles per game and is one of just four among the top 10 to average more tackles on the road than at home. In addition, he forced his eighth career fumble in Troy's win at Louisiana, the second most in Troy's DI history and fifth most in Sun Belt history.
Martial has led Troy to one of the best turnarounds in college football this year, as the Trojans sit 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Troy's two losses have come at No. 9 Ole Miss in the season opener and on a Hail Mary at App State on the day the Mountaineers hosted College GameDay.
A native of Mobile, Ala., Martial came to Troy with no FBS offers and just a handful of FCS and Division II offers, but since that time has become the most dynamic tackler in college football. His 526 tackles since the start of the 2018 season are 97 more than any other FBS player, while his 450 tackles since the beginning of the 2019 season are 50 more than any other FBS player.
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 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 award ceremony will honor the three finalists and announce the 2022 winner on Dec. 5 at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Presented annually to the nation's top player who began their career as a walk-on, the Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, a former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American. Without one DI scholarship offer, Burlsworth walked on at Arkansas in 1994, eventually becoming a three-year starter on the offensive line and an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 63rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later.
Martial enters Troy's game against Army this weekend 20 tackles shy of passing Northwestern's Tim McGarigle for the all-time lead at the FBS level with 546 career tackles.
Named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for the second time this season, Martial is 10thnationally, averaging 10.5 tackles per game and is one of just four among the top 10 to average more tackles on the road than at home. In addition, he forced his eighth career fumble in Troy's win at Louisiana, the second most in Troy's DI history and fifth most in Sun Belt history.
Martial has led Troy to one of the best turnarounds in college football this year, as the Trojans sit 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Troy's two losses have come at No. 9 Ole Miss in the season opener and on a Hail Mary at App State on the day the Mountaineers hosted College GameDay.
A native of Mobile, Ala., Martial came to Troy with no FBS offers and just a handful of FCS and Division II offers, but since that time has become the most dynamic tackler in college football. His 526 tackles since the start of the 2018 season are 97 more than any other FBS player, while his 450 tackles since the beginning of the 2019 season are 50 more than any other FBS player.
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 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 award ceremony will honor the three finalists and announce the 2022 winner on Dec. 5 at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
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