Pair of Notre Dame football players make Comeback Player watch list

There’s plenty of excitement around the Notre Dame football program, even with the latest news that the Irish need to replace their starting left tackle. One reason there’s so much excitement is that people want to see how a couple of returning from injury players can perform in 2024.

It’s not just Irish fans who are interested in seeing how they perform. Riley Leonard and Kevin Bauman were announced as part of the College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List on Wednesday morning.

The pair of Notre Dame football players will both be looking to win the award, but it’s a safe bet that Leonard is the odds-on favorite on the team. If Bauman is able to contend for the award, it will almost certainly be because his quarterback put up some very big numbers. 

Notre Dame football duo named to Comeback Player watch list

“Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury,” the award’s website stated. “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.”

There is one notable absence from the watch list. It would seem as though Mitchell Evans should be included on this list, considering he is a Notre Dame tight end who also missed a decent part of the 2024 season.

It’s a little weird that Evans, who projects as a sure fire NFL star, isn’t in contention for the Comeback Player of the Year. But if Bauman can stay in contention, it would certainly mean good news for the Notre Dame football team.