University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Pete Madia/Pitt Athletics
Pitt’s Jimmy Morrissey Named Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
12/15/2020 10:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior center Jimmy Morrissey was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy that is annually presented to the most outstanding player in college football who began his career as a walk-on student-athlete, it was announced Tuesday morning.
Morrissey recently completed his fourth season as Pitt's starting center. He started all 47 games that he played for the Panthers and is considered one of the top center prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In 2019, Morrissey was selected as the ACC's top center, earning first-team honors in the conference after not allowing a single sack the entire season. Morrissey entered the 2020 campaign touted as a preseason All-American per Phil Steele and remains a viable All-ACC and All-America candidate after starting in all 11 of the Panthers' contests.
A native of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., the La Salle College High School product joined Pitt as a walk-on before the 2016 season and redshirted.
Shortly after winning a contested battle for the starting center spot ahead of the 2017 campaign, Morrissey was awarded a scholarship by head coach Pat Narduzzi and quickly established himself as a superlative student-athlete—on and off the field.
Beyond his All-ACC credentials on the gridiron, Morrissey has been selected to the All-ACC Academic Football Team three times and became a member of Pitt's prestigious Blue-Gold Society, an undergraduate campus organization comprised of top students who serve as ambassadors for the university and Pitt Alumni Association.
Morrissey also earned his bachelor's degree in finance and marketing before enrolling in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business.
The three finalists for the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced next Tuesday, Dec. 22. The winner will then be presented during a virtual award ceremony on Monday, Jan. 4.
The Pitt football team recently finished the 2020 regular season with a 34-20 victory at Georgia Tech in which Morrissey helped pave the way for a season-high 317 rushing yards by the Panthers.
After successfully completing their 11-game schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic with a 6-5 record, the Panthers have elected to not participate in the postseason this year.
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Morrissey recently completed his fourth season as Pitt's starting center. He started all 47 games that he played for the Panthers and is considered one of the top center prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In 2019, Morrissey was selected as the ACC's top center, earning first-team honors in the conference after not allowing a single sack the entire season. Morrissey entered the 2020 campaign touted as a preseason All-American per Phil Steele and remains a viable All-ACC and All-America candidate after starting in all 11 of the Panthers' contests.
A native of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., the La Salle College High School product joined Pitt as a walk-on before the 2016 season and redshirted.
Shortly after winning a contested battle for the starting center spot ahead of the 2017 campaign, Morrissey was awarded a scholarship by head coach Pat Narduzzi and quickly established himself as a superlative student-athlete—on and off the field.
Beyond his All-ACC credentials on the gridiron, Morrissey has been selected to the All-ACC Academic Football Team three times and became a member of Pitt's prestigious Blue-Gold Society, an undergraduate campus organization comprised of top students who serve as ambassadors for the university and Pitt Alumni Association.
Morrissey also earned his bachelor's degree in finance and marketing before enrolling in Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business.
The three finalists for the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy will be announced next Tuesday, Dec. 22. The winner will then be presented during a virtual award ceremony on Monday, Jan. 4.
The Pitt football team recently finished the 2020 regular season with a 34-20 victory at Georgia Tech in which Morrissey helped pave the way for a season-high 317 rushing yards by the Panthers.
After successfully completing their 11-game schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic with a 6-5 record, the Panthers have elected to not participate in the postseason this year.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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