FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second consecutive year, University of Hawai'i defensive lineman Kaimana Padello is among the nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on.
 
Padello joined UH as a preferred walk-on in 2016 out of Mililani High School. The 6-foot, 225-pound senior has appeared in all 49 games played since his freshman season. He earned a scholarship prior to his junior season in which he led the team with 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. 
 
This season, the Mililani, O'ahu native has two sacks and six tackles for loss. His 32 tackles tops all defensive linemen and his two forced fumbles is a team-high.
 
The award is in its 10^th year and is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman who was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days after being selected as the 63^rd overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.
 
Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with an FBS program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department. The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on December 9, 2019 in Springdale, Ark., to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.