November 2, 2026 | Football
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Two Illinois team captains, offensive lineman Jake Renfro and defensive back Xavier Scott, have been named to 2026 Comeback Player of the Year Mid-season Watch List, released Thursday by the College Sports Communicators in association with the Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl. The list includes 38 players under consideration for the award, which was first established in 2018.
Renfro has been one of the top centers in college football this season after missing most of last year with multiple injuries while at Wisconsin. His PFF pass-blocking grade of 84.3 ranks 18th in the nation among centers and his overall offensive grade of 72.3 ranks 37th in the nation among centers.
Scott has bounced back from an early-season injury last season to start all eight games in 2026. He has 28 tackles and three pass breakups.
Illinois hosts Nebraska on Friday night for Dads Day and Hail to the Blue Out. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
2026 Comeback Player of the Year Mid-season Watch List
|
PLAYER |
SCHOOL |
CONFERENCE |
POSITION |
|
Jahiem White |
North Texas |
AAC |
RB |
|
Dickson Agu |
Tulane |
AAC |
LB |
|
Chris Thompson Jr. |
Tulsa |
AAC |
LB |
|
Isaiah Crosby |
California |
ACC |
DB |
|
Bryant Wesco Jr. |
Clemson |
ACC |
WR |
|
Nick Morris Jr. |
Duke |
ACC |
LB |
|
Justice Haynes |
Georgia Tech |
ACC |
RB |
|
Censere Lee |
Pittsburgh |
ACC |
WR |
|
Steve Angeli |
Syracuse |
ACC |
QB |
|
Billy Edwards Jr. |
UNC |
ACC |
QB |
|
Monroe Mills |
Virginia |
ACC |
OL |
|
Illinois |
Big Ten |
OL |
|
|
Illinois |
Big Ten |
DB |
|
|
Tobi Osunsanmi |
Indiana |
Big Ten |
DL |
|
Rod Moore |
Michigan |
Big Ten |
DB |
|
John Henry Daley |
Michigan |
Big Ten |
DE |
|
Evan Stewart |
Oregon |
Big Ten |
WR |
|
Tony Rojas |
Penn State |
Big Ten |
LB |
|
Moses Walker |
Rutgers |
Big Ten |
LB |
|
Malik Hartford |
UCLA |
Big Ten |
DB |
|
Waymond Jordan |
USC |
Big Ten |
RB |
|
Re'Shaun Sanford II |
Houston |
BIG 12 |
RB |
|
Malcolm Hartzog |
Arizona |
BIG12 |
DB |
|
Will Hammond |
Texas Tech |
BIG12 |
QB |
|
Ashton Craig |
Notre Dame |
Independent |
OL |
|
Jaden Greathouse |
Notre Dame |
Independent |
WR |
|
Dorian Pringle |
Bowling Green |
MAC |
LB |
|
T.Y. Harding |
UMass |
MAC |
WR |
|
Pearce Spurlin III |
Colorado State |
PAC12 |
TE |
|
Chas Nimrod |
Auburn |
SEC |
WR |
|
LJ McCray |
Florida |
SEC |
DL |
|
CJ Baxter |
Kentucky |
SEC |
RB |
|
Sam Leavitt |
LSU |
SEC |
QB |
|
Max Johnson |
Georgia Southern |
Sun Belt |
QB |
|
Blake Baker |
LA Tech |
Sun Belt |
QB |
|
Kolbe Fields |
LA Tech |
Sun Belt |
LB |
|
Koa Naotala |
Old Dominion |
Sun Belt |
LB |
|
Goose Crowder |
Troy |
Sun Belt |
QB |
