Four Huskies On Comeback Player Of The Year Award Watch List
August 20, 2026 | Football
SEATTLE – Washington's Charlie Crowell, Trey Cooley, Kade Eldridge and Rashid Williams have been named to the 2026 Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list, College Sports Communicators, The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Sports Foundation announced today.
Washington is tied with Notre Dame for most players on the list. In 2022, Michael Penix Jr. was named a winner of the award.
Since 2018, the 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 college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Crowell is a third-year tight end that missed the 2024 and 2025 season due to injury.
Cooley, a sixth-year running back, enters his first season at Washington after spending last year at Troy. With the Trojans, Cooley suffered a season-ending injury prior to the start of the season. He spent the prior two seasons at Georgia Tech where he appeared in 15 games during that time. Cooley has compiled 1,009 rushing yards during his career and six touchdowns.
Eldridge, a third-year tight end, played in the first seven games in his first season on Montlake before missing the remainder of the year after an injury suffered at Michigan. He recorded a rushing touchdown in the season opener against Colorado State. Eldridge spent his first two seasons at USC.
Before missing the remainder of the season, Williams (wide receiver) appeared in the first two games in 2025 where he compiled five receptions for 54 yards.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
Ray Guy Award – Hunter Green
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Davey O'Brien Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year – Jacob Manu
Comeback Player of the Year Award – Charlie Crowell, Kade Eldridge, Rashid Williams, Trey Cooley
Washington is tied with Notre Dame for most players on the list. In 2022, Michael Penix Jr. was named a winner of the award.
Since 2018, the 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 college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Crowell is a third-year tight end that missed the 2024 and 2025 season due to injury.
Cooley, a sixth-year running back, enters his first season at Washington after spending last year at Troy. With the Trojans, Cooley suffered a season-ending injury prior to the start of the season. He spent the prior two seasons at Georgia Tech where he appeared in 15 games during that time. Cooley has compiled 1,009 rushing yards during his career and six touchdowns.
Eldridge, a third-year tight end, played in the first seven games in his first season on Montlake before missing the remainder of the year after an injury suffered at Michigan. He recorded a rushing touchdown in the season opener against Colorado State. Eldridge spent his first two seasons at USC.
Before missing the remainder of the season, Williams (wide receiver) appeared in the first two games in 2025 where he compiled five receptions for 54 yards.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
Ray Guy Award – Hunter Green
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Davey O'Brien Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year – Jacob Manu
Comeback Player of the Year Award – Charlie Crowell, Kade Eldridge, Rashid Williams, Trey Cooley
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