Whaley Named Semifinalist For Burlsworth Trophy

Oklahoma running back Dominique Whaley has been named a semifinalist for the 2011 Burlsworth Trophy which honors the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on.

The junior from Lawton came to OU this season after playing at Langston University.

After nine games this season, Whaley was OU's leading rusher despite playing in only six of those games. He suffered a season ending injury at the end of October in the game against Kansas State. On the first play of that game he fractured his left ankle which ended his season.

Related Story: Dominique Whaley Suffers Broken Ankle, Out For Season

This season he tallied 627 rushing yards on 113 carries with nine touchdowns along with 15 receptions for 153 yards.

At Langston during the 2008 season, Whaley played in 10 games and finished the year with 58 carries for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

Whaley along with KU's Steven Johnson are the only two Big 12 players to make the list of semifinalists.

Related Story: Dominique Whaley Will Receive Scholarship This December

On Nov. 29 the semifinalists will be narrowed to three finalists, with this year's winner will be announced at its annual award banquet on Dec. 9, 2011.

Other 2011 Burlsworth Semifinalists include:
Tyler Shoemaker-Boise State University
Mike Remmers-Oregon State University
Griff Whalen-Stanford
Bryant Moniz-University of Hawaii
Patrick Edwards-University of Houston
Steven Johnson-University of Kansas
Jordan Kovacs-University of Michigan
Mike Caputo- University of Nebraska
Dominique Whaley-University of Oklahoma
Austin Davis-University of Southern Mississippi