Notre Dame’s list of players worth watching continues to grow. It was announced Wednesday that receiver Ben Skowronek and linebacker Daelin Hayes are on the 2020 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Watch List. The award recognizes college football student-athletes who have overcome illness or injury. Three winners will be announced at this year’s Fiesta Bowl.
That these particular Irish players have been selected for this watch list shouldn’t be a surprise. Skowronek, the transfer who suffered an injury that needed surgery during his final season at Northwestern, was the unanimous selection for our offensive game ball after making two touchdown receptions for 107 yards against Pittsburgh. Likewise, we unanimously picked Hayes, the captain whose 2019 season ended prematurely because of a shoulder injury, for our defensive game ball thanks to two sacks and two forced fumbles against Georgia Tech. So even if they haven’t been impactful in every game, their contributions thus far have not got unnoticed, even by those of us watching from our homes.