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NEW YORK, NY – College Sports Communicators (formerly College Sports Information Directors of America [CoSIDA]) in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization, today released a list of 15 semifinalists for college football’s
2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
The award recognizes college football student-athletes from all divisions of college football for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. In a vote by a panel of AP writers, editors, sports information directors, and Fiesta Bowl Organization representatives, three college football student-athletes will be honored as
2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award winners.
Four of the leading candidates include:
Mohamed Ibrahim (University of Minnesota, RB) - returned from a knee injury in 2021 to finish second in the Big Ten with 1,594 yards rushing and lead the conference with 19 rushing touchdowns;
Michael Penix Jr. (University of Washington, QB) - previously suffered season ending injuries in 2018, ’19 and ’21. He finished the regular season as the top passer in the FBS with 4,355 yards, 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions;
Payton Wilson (N.C. State. LB) - suffered numerous injuries during his career, including a shoulder injury last season, and came back to finish third on the team in tackles with 72 including 9.5 TFLs;
Chase Cunningham (Middle Tennessee State University, QB) - suffered a torn ACL last October and was back under center to start the season. Started 11 of 12 games while passing for 2,920 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for six scores.
Here’s a list of the 15 Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalists.
| CONFERENCE |
PLAYER |
SCHOOL |
POSITION |
| ACC |
Payton Wilson |
NC State |
LB |
| BIG 12 |
Adrian Martinez |
Kansas State |
QB |
| BIG 12 |
Dillon Gabriel |
Oklahoma |
QB |
| BIG 12 |
Trace Ford |
Oklahoma State |
DE |
| BIG TEN |
Mohamed Ibrahim |
Minnesota |
RB |
| BIG TEN |
Ronnie Bell |
Michigan |
WR |
| CONFERENCE USA |
Chase Cunningham |
Middle Tennessee |
QB |
| CONFERENCE USA |
Jyaire Shorter |
North Texas |
WR |
| INDEPENDENT |
Marist Liufau |
Notre Dame |
LB |
| MID-AMERICAN |
Kyle Pugh |
Northern Illinois |
LB |
| PAC 12 |
Justin Flowe |
Oregon |
LB |
| PAC 12 |
Laitu Latu |
UCLA |
LB |
| PAC 12 |
Michael Penix Jr |
Washington |
QB |
| SEC |
Ventrell Miller |
Florida |
LB |
| SEC |
Ray Davis |
Vanderbilt |
RB |
Previous Comeback Player of the Year winners have included: 2018
- Antwan Dixon (Kent State),
Seth Simmer (Dartmouth);
Antonio Wimbush (Carson-Newman); 2019 –
Jake Luton (Oregon State);
Drew Wilson (Georgia Southern);
Octavion Wilson (Salisbury); 2020 –
Jarek Broussard (Colorado);
Kenneth Horsey (Kentucky);
Silas Kelly (Coastal Carolina); 2021 –
Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan);
McKenzie Milton (Florida State);
J.J. Weaver (Kentucky). For a complete list of past honorees, visit
www.Comeback-Player.com.
About College Sports Communicators: College Sports Communicators (formerly College Sports Information Directors of America [CoSIDA]) is a 3,600+ member national organization, comprised of the athletic communications, media relations, digital and creative professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1957, the organization is the second oldest management association in intercollegiate athletics. The organization's signature program is the Academic All-America program, honoring thousands of outstanding scholar-athletes annually. To learn more, visit
collegesportscommunicators.com.
Media Contact: Doug Drotman (
doug@drotman-pr.com or 631-462-1198)