Two Iowa stars named to Comeback Player of the Year watch list

In October of the 2023 season, Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara tried to scrabble on a play against Michigan State in order to avoid taking a safety. Unfortunately, avoiding the safety came at a much higher price as McNamara went down awkwardly and while on the ground rolled in evident pain.

After being helped off the sideline, McNamara was immediately taken to a cart and taken on the field. It would later come out that the Nevada native had torn his ACL and would be out for the rest of the season.

Now close to a year later, McNamara is set to return to the starting quarterback position. There are a lot of questions about whether or not McNamara will be able to perform stats-wise, but how much will his knee injury play into it?

McNamara has not necessarily lit up the preseason award watch lists, but he is on one very important watch list and that is the Comeback Player of the Year watch list. This award since 2018 has been awarded to a player who has overcome injury, illness, or other circumstances.

McNamara is not the only Hawkeye on this watch list with tight end Luke Lachey also being named. Lackey went down last season before McNamara did an ankle injury in late September.

Lackey went to the ground hard after an incomplete pass from McNamara, had to be helped off the field, and was unable to put pressure on the ankle. Lachey ended up having season-ending surgery on his right ankle and is hoping to make a big comeback this season for Iowa, known as tight end University with the number of NFL star tight ends they have produced.

The award will be announced after the conclusion of the 2024 season with the winners being honored at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Last year's winner Blake Corum had a big comeback which included being one of the best running backs in the country and winning a National Championship with Michigan.