NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Notre Dame junior long snapper Michael Vinson has been tabbed as a nominee for the 2020 Burlsworth Trophy, honoring the nation’s top walk-on college football player. Wide receiver Chris Finke was the most recent Notre Dame player to be nominated for the honor (2018, 2019).
Vinson won the job as Irish starting long snapper after the graduation of John Shannon, inaugural winner of the Patrick Mannelly Award for the nation’s top long snapper in 2019. Vinson has seen action in all 10 games this season. He had previously made his collegiate debut in 2019 vs. Bowling Green.
As a freshman and sophomore, Vinson served on the scout punt team. He also was integral to team operations on the road, serving as the defensive card holder and recording stats for special teams. He also served as scout center during road walkthroughs.
Additionally, over the past summer, Vinson was the scout team quarterback in walkthrough sessions.
As a high school student, Vinson began his college search process in his sophomore year, initially looking at colleges without football in mind. Notre Dame special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator Brian Polian visited New Trier High School, and after watching Vinson, encouraged him to attend Notre Dame’s specialists camp. Vinson won the camp and was extended the offer for a preferred walk-on position, which he accepted in September of his senior year.
Growing up near Chicago, Vinson was familiar with Notre Dame, and was attracted by the family aspect of the football program and the university at large, in addition to the tradition of the team and the school. He is now majoring in political science with a minor in real estate.