Clemson WR on watch list for national Comeback Player of the Year

Cole Turner was an offensive standout in Clemson's last ACC Championship game appearance, with three catches for 101 yards.

by Press Release - Aug 7, 2024, 9:56 AM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference had a total of 17 football players named to a “Watch List” for consideration for the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award it was announced on Wednesday, August 7, by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization.

Representing the ACC on the preseason list are linebacker Bryce Steele of Boston College, quarterback CJ Harris of California, wide receiver Cole Turner of Clemson, wide receiver Eli Pancol of Duke, wide receiver Leo Blackburn and defensive lineman Sylvain Yondjouen of Georgia Tech, wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks and quarterback Tyler Shough of Louisville, quarterback Emory Williams of Miami, quarterback Grayson McCall of NC State, wide receiver Trebor Pena and tight end Oronde Gadsden II of Syracuse, wide receiver Kobe Paysour of North Carolina, defensive end Kam Butler of Virginia, tight end Nick Gallo and wide receiver Ali Jennings of Virginia Tech and wide receiver Donavon Greene of Wake Forest.

Turner was an offensive standout in Clemson's last ACC Championship game appearance, with three catches for 101 yards in the win over UNC in 2022. Injury limited him to just three catches for 28 yards in two games last season.

Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

The watch list is comprised of 90 college football student-athletes from 68 different schools.

Mike Hollins of Virginia was one of three players to win the award last year.

ACC Representatives on the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List:

Name, School, Class, Position

Bryce Steele, Boston College, Redshirt Junior, LB

CJ Harris, Cal, Redshirt Sophomore, QB

Cole Turner, Clemson, Redshirt Sophomore, WR

Eli Pancol, Duke, Graduate Student, WR

Leo Blackburn, Georgia Tech, Redshirt Junior, WR

Sylvain Yondjouen, Georgia Tech, Redshirt Senior, DL

Ja'Corey Brooks, Louisville, Redshirt Senior, WR

Tyler Shough, Louisville, Redshirt Senior, QB