Running back DeKalon Taylor of Colorado and tight end Pearce Spurlin III of Colorado State have been nominated for the 2026 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
College Sports Communicators, in association with The Associated Press (AP) and Fiesta Sports Foundation, released a “Watch List” of 94 college football student-athletes from 59 different schools being considered for 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.
In 2020, Colorado’s Jarek Broussard was honored alongside Kenneth Horsey of Kentucky and Silas Kelly of Coastal Carolina. College athletic communications professionals working with football programs are encouraged to nominate deserving candidates at www.Comeback-Player.com.
Taylor played in Colorado’s first four games last season, with one start, before being sidelined with an injury. He finished his shortened season with 83 rushing yards on 19 carries and added 10 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
In scoring the Buffs’ first touchdown last season, Taylor scored on an eight-yard pass from Kaidon Salter after the defense forced a turnover on the first possession. It was the fastest scoring first touchdown in a season since 2018.
Prior to CU, Taylor played three seasons (2022-2024) at Incarnate Word, where he rushed for 1,053 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 234 yards and one score.
A Ram newcomer after spending three seasons at Georgia, Spurlin III was forced to medically retire in 2024 due to a heart condition, but was cleared to return to play after the 2025 season.
As a true freshman at Georgia, he caught three passes for 60 yards, highlighted by a 31-yard pass in the Bulldogs’ Capital One Orange Bowl victory over Florida State.
Colorado’s Liona Lefau and Colorado State’s Jayden Tuia were named to the Watch List for the 2026 Polynesian College Player of the Year Award. Presented annually, the award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field. This year’s list features 69 players from 36 different NCAA Division I programs.
Tuia is in his first year at Colorado State after transferring from Oregon State, where he played the past two seasons. While with the Beavers, Tuia made five appearances, including a start in the season finale in 2025.
