Tyler Shough, who bounced back from a series of injuries that cut short his previous three seasons, was honored as one of the recipients of the College Football Comeback Player of the Year Award. This announcement was made on Tuesday. Alongside him, South Carolina’s Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and Utah State’s Ike Larsen were also recognized for their remarkable recovery and outstanding performances throughout the season.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award is determined by votes from the Associated Press Top 25 voters and sports information directors from various institutions across the country. The players will be celebrated during the festivities at the Fiesta Bowl scheduled for December 31 in Glendale, Arizona.
Shough, who played his seventh season this year, began his career at Oregon, where he contributed to the Ducks’ victory in the 2020 Pac-12 Championship before transferring to Texas Tech. His 2021 season was cut short by a broken collarbone after just four games, and in 2022, a shoulder injury sidelined him for another six games. This season, he faced yet another setback with a broken fibula that ended his campaign after four games.
Following his transfer to Louisville during the offseason, Shough became the starting quarterback for all 12 games. He recorded a notable performance, amassing 3,195 passing yards which ranked him fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference, along with 23 touchdown passes that placed him fifth in the conference. His strong play included three games where he surpassed the 300-yard mark, leading the Cardinals to an impressive 8-4 record.
Raheim Sanders started his collegiate journey at Arkansas, where he made a significant impact as he finished second in the SEC with a remarkable 1,443 rushing yards in his sophomore year. However, his 2023 season was hampered by a knee injury and a severe shoulder ailment that necessitated complex surgery involving a bone graft alongside muscle and tendon repairs for chronic dislocations. After transferring to South Carolina in the offseason, Sanders’ commitment to rehabilitation was commended by his athletic trainers. As the season progressed, his performance improved, leading him to rank third in the SEC with 881 rushing yards and fifth with 11 rushing touchdowns. Furthermore, he showcased his receiving skills with 316 yards on 27 receptions, leading all running backs in the conference.
Meanwhile, Ike Larsen’s journey at Utah State wasn’t without its struggles. In his first year, he faced tremendous obstacles including his parents being hospitalized due to COVID-19, with his mother spending much of the fall in a coma. Additionally, he endured the emotional toll of breaking up with a significant other. In a moving narrative shared on National Suicide Prevention Day, Larsen recounted a critical moment when he grappled with dark thoughts while driving with a loaded gun on December 12, 2021. Instead of reacting in despair, he chose to make a life-saving call to 911, after which first responders provided essential support. With encouragement from family, friends, and teammates, Larsen sought therapy and developed coping mechanisms to navigate his struggles. His on-field prowess became evident as he earned recognition as an All-Mountain West second-team player in 2022 and a first-team selection in 2023. This season, he emerged as Utah State’s second-leading tackler with 80 tackles, alongside breaking up nine passes and securing one interception.