Each year every high school football program in Arkansas nominates one player from their team to receive the Brandon Burlsworth award.

This player should be of good moral character and demonstrate a desire to excel in the class room. This award recognizes the student athlete who puts their team first and is not looking to just draw attention to themselves. Often it is not the quarterback or star running back selected to receive the award but someone in the background who always gave their best effort but usually went unnoticed.