If things go according to plan, there will be multiple Iowa Hawkeyes up for the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
A trio of Hawkeyes were named to the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list. Quarterback Cade McNamara, tight end Erick All and cornerback Jermari Harris were all named to the watch list.
McNamara takes over as the Hawkeyes’ starting quarterback after guiding the Michigan Wolverines to the 2021 Big Ten title. The 6-foot-1, 205 pound quarterback passed for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading Michigan to the Big Ten title and to a College Football Playoff berth that season.
After J.J. McCarthy took over as Michigan’s starter in the second game last season, McNamara suffered an injury that eventually led to a knee surgery in November of 2022.
Now, McNamara is expected to be arguably the most integral part of Iowa’s offensive turnaround.
With him in Iowa City is fellow Wolverine transfer in tight end Erick All. The 6-foot-5, 250 pound tight end snagged 38 receptions, 437 yards and two touchdowns during the 2021 season.
After that breakout season, injuries derailed his 2022 campaign. It wound up with All undergoing surgery.
Finally, Jermari Harris returns from injury to help bolster Iowa’s defensive backfield. The 6-foot-1, 190 pound corner was suspended for the Hawkeyes’ 2022 season opener after an offseason arrest for an OWI charge in April of 2022. Then, he missed the remainder of the season due to an undisclosed injury.
Harris appeared in 13 of 14 games and started six in 2021. The Chicago product tallied 34 tackles, eight pass break-ups, four interceptions, and 1.5 tackles for loss during the 2021 season.
A total of 21 Big Ten players were named to the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list.
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