CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – College Sports Communicators, in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl, named Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough as one of three winners of college football’s 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
 
Since 2018, the Comeback Player of the Year Award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of Associated Press college football writers and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners. They will be honored during an on-field ceremony at the 2024 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
 
Shough’s inspiring comeback story reflects six years of resilience and determination. Beginning his college football journey at Oregon in 2018 and concluding at Louisville in 2024, he overcame a series of setbacks to finish his career on a high note. This season, Shough led the Cardinals to an 8-4 record and a berth in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Washington on Tuesday, December 31, in El Paso, Texas.

Shough’s path has been anything but easy. At Oregon, he showcased his potential as the Ducks’ primary quarterback in 2020, leading them to a Pac-12 Championship. Seeking new challenges, he transferred to Texas Tech, where injuries defined his next three seasons. Shoulder and collarbone injuries sidelined him after just four games in 2021 and seven contests in 2022, while a broken left fibula ended his 2023 season after just four games.

In 2024, Shough arrived at Louisville, embracing a fresh start with remarkable mental and physical toughness. Starting all 12 games, he passed for over 300 yards in four contests, including back-to-back performances against conference foes Miami and Boston College. He added four touchdown passes in games against both Miami and Austin Peay.
 
He finished in the top 25 of FBS quarterbacks with 3,195 passing yards (14th), 266.3 passing yards per game (15th), 23 passing touchdowns (22nd), 75.5 total QBR (22nd) and 8.21 yards per pass attempt (24th). The Cardinals’ quarterback totaled 267.8 yards of total offense per game, which ranks 27th among all FBS players.
 
Shough is joined by Utah State defensive back Ike Larsen and South Carolina running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders as the 2024 Comeback Players of the Year.