FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – Texas State football's Titus Lyons was named one of 79 players across Division I (FBS) schools nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman and is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a Walk-On and has shown outstanding performance on the field.

Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with FBS (D1) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.

Lyons has played in 41 games for the Bobcats over four seasons, registering 26 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns while helping TXST to back-to-back SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Championships. The 2025 season has been a breakout one for the Pottsboro, Texas, native, posting career bests in single-season numbers for catches (10) and receiving yards (68). His first two career TD receptions came at Arkansas State and at Marshall.

Lyons started his career at Cisco College in 2021 but only played in one game after suffering a knee injury.

In May 2024, Lyons graduated Summa Cum Laude from TXST as an integrated studies major and is currently working toward his master's in criminal justice. He is a multi-time member of the Dean's List and was named the 2025 Texas State Athletics Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He has also been honored as part of the 2025 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, was a 2023 CSC Academic All-District selection and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success Class of 2023.

This season, Lyons was also a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

"Titus is the epitome of hard work, dedication and trusting in the process," TXST tight ends coach Will Bryant said. "Once he got here, we knew he was a guy who did things the right way to take care of business… a 4.0 student, doing so well in the weight room and making plays on the football field and had the opportunity to earn a scholarship. Now you look up and he's going into his fourth year at Texas State and into his third year starting for us and he's a guy that's played over 1,000 snaps for the Bobcats and one player we look forward to watching have an explosive year for us."

The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show will honor the three finalists and announce the 2025 winner on December 8 at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. For more information about the Burlsworth Trophy, visit  burlsworthtrophy.com.