Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Donaldson Jr. Among 15 Semifinalists for College Football’s Comeback Player of the Year
November 30, 2023 12:00 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia's CJ Donaldson Jr. is one of 15 semifinalists for college football's Comeback Player of the Year, presented by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) in conjunction with The Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl Organization.
The award is presented to three college football student-athletes from all divisions who overcome injury, illness or other circumstances. At the conclusion of the season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors and sports information directors, the three winners will be revealed at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Donaldson makes the list after bouncing back from an injury-plagued freshman season at WVU that included a concussion in the Texas game that required him to be taken off the field on a cart and then a season-ending ankle injury in the TCU game. Donaldson's fractured ankle eventually required surgery.
However, the Miami, Florida, resident returned in 2023 to lead the Mountaineers in rushing with 798 yards while scoring 11 rushing touchdowns. He scored in 10 of 12 games this season, including a streak of nine straight games through the Cincinnati victory.
Donaldson rushed for more than 100 yards in a game three times this season and had a season-best, 121-yard performance in a win at Central Florida.
The sophomore has now rushed for 1,324 yards and scored 19 touchdowns in 19 career games for the Mountaineers.
The College Football Comeback Player of the Year award has been in existence since 2018.
The award is presented to three college football student-athletes from all divisions who overcome injury, illness or other circumstances. At the conclusion of the season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors and sports information directors, the three winners will be revealed at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Donaldson makes the list after bouncing back from an injury-plagued freshman season at WVU that included a concussion in the Texas game that required him to be taken off the field on a cart and then a season-ending ankle injury in the TCU game. Donaldson's fractured ankle eventually required surgery.
However, the Miami, Florida, resident returned in 2023 to lead the Mountaineers in rushing with 798 yards while scoring 11 rushing touchdowns. He scored in 10 of 12 games this season, including a streak of nine straight games through the Cincinnati victory.
Donaldson rushed for more than 100 yards in a game three times this season and had a season-best, 121-yard performance in a win at Central Florida.
The sophomore has now rushed for 1,324 yards and scored 19 touchdowns in 19 career games for the Mountaineers.
The College Football Comeback Player of the Year award has been in existence since 2018.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballRich Rodriguez | Dec. 3
Wednesday, December 03
Reid Carrico | Nov. 29
Saturday, November 29
Jeff Weimer | Nov. 29
Saturday, November 29
Rich Rodriguez | Nov. 29
Saturday, November 29
