Two Nebraska football players landed on the Comeback Player of Year award watch list, though it’s unclear what one of them is coming back from.
When one talks about Comeback Player of the Year awards, it’s hard to always nail down what the factors going into deciding the winner are. Sometimes it’s cut and dried because the winner returned from a serious injury. Other times, it’s about turning around a career that seemed to be nearing its end.
Earlier this week, two Nebraska football players were named to the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list. Quarterback Jeff Sims and tight end Thomas Fidone are both on the list of 100 players from 67 different schools and it’s clear they are on the list for two very different reasons.
Thomas Fidone is attempting to come back from severe injuries that have so far derailed his Nebraska football career. This is technically his third season in Lincoln, but he’s appeared in just one game (in 2021 against Wisconsin) due to various maladies.
Fidone’s “comeback” is clear. He’s hoping to not only get back on the field but be a leader for the Huskers both inspirationally and production-wise. When it comes to Jeff Sims, his “comeback” could be checking a couple of boxes.
Nebraska football comeback players on watch list
Sims checks the box regarding returning from injury; his injuries just weren’t quite as severe as Fidones. In 2021, he started seven games for Georgia Tech before spraining a foot in a loss to Virginia and missing the final five games of the year.
The quarterback then transferred to the Cornhuskers hoping to reinvent himself for Nebraska football and move away from being known as a run-first signal caller. He’s got the kind of makeup that it seems likely he could compete for that Comeback Player of the Year award.
A three-year starter for Georgia Tech, he’s going to be given the opportunity to put up big numbers for Matt Rhule and company. Fidone might find himself a bit behind the eight-ball in that regard.
It seems unlikely he could have the kind of season that would win him the award, without Sims also seeing big production. Still, should either Nebraska football player end up winning, it’s a safe bet the other will be rooting hard and cheering him on.