Can UCLA LB Ale Kaho win Comeback Player of the year in 2024?

A Comeback Player of the Year watch list nomination.

It was announced earlier this week that Ale Kaho of UCLA Bruins Football was nominated for the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year award. The 6’2, 230lbs redshirt senior out of Reno Nevada saw just one game played a season ago. In 2022, he was out with an injury.

When he played for the Bruins in 2021, he played in 11 games and had a blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown against Hawaii. He has seven tackles against Utah.

Before he came to UCLA, he played in 2018, 2019, and 2020 at Alabama. This is his 7th season of college football.

But, the question is, can Ale Kaho win the award? If he remains healthy, he is on track to become a starter. Moreover, he should find ample playing time with multiple departures on the defense this offseason.

With that being said, he could be in pole position to win the award if he can play well and stay healthy during the 2024 campaign.

There are 89 players on the list from 67 different schools. The award has been given out each season since 2018 and the winners are honored at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.

If Kaho can be healthy, he should be a big part of this revamped UCLA defense.