Blake Horvath of Navy is one of 12 semi-finalists announced for the 2024 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Award. This annual honor, presented by College Sports Communicators in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization, celebrates players who have triumphed over injuries, illnesses, or challenging circumstances.
Since its inception in 2018, the award has spotlighted remarkable comebacks across college football. A panel of writers, editors, and sports information directors will select three winners to be recognized during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl later this year.
Horvath’s Stellar Comeback Season
Horvath, a Navy junior quarterback, has delivered an exceptional season after missing most of 2023 due to a thumb injury sustained during his first career start against North Texas. In 2024, he has emerged as a dual-threat standout, amassing 895 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 133 carries while completing 69 of 118 passes for 1,154 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
His passing achievements are especially noteworthy:
- Horvath’s 11 touchdown passes are tied for the third-most in school history.
- He is just two touchdown passes shy of Navy’s all-time record, set by Ricky Dobbs, with two games remaining.
- He is poised to become the first Navy player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since Malcolm Perry in 2019.
Additionally, Horvath has exceeded 1,000 passing yards, a feat last accomplished by Perry in 2019, and his 1,154 passing yards are the most by a Navy player since Will Worth in 2016. According to Pro Football Focus, Horvath ranks as the sixth-best rusher in the FBS among all positions with at least 125 attempts.
Full List of 2024 Semi-Finalists
The 2024 semi-finalists represent a diverse group of conferences and positions:
| Player | School | Conference | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Horvath | Navy | AAC | QB |
| Eli Pancol | Duke | ACC | WR |
| Tyler Shough | Louisville | ACC | QB |
| Oronde Gadsden II | Syracuse | ACC | TE |
| Lathan Ransom | Ohio State | Big Ten | DB |
| Tyreem Powell | Rutgers | Big Ten | LB |
| Jalon Daniels | Kansas | Big 12 | QB |
| Trey Lathan | West Virginia | Big 12 | LB |
| Riley Leonard | Notre Dame | Independent | QB |
| Ike Larsen | Utah State | Mountain West | DB |
| Raheim Sanders | South Carolina | SEC | RB |
| Bru McCoy | Tennessee | SEC | WR |
Honoring Past Winners
The Comeback Player of the Year Award has a rich history of celebrating resilience. Recent honorees include Blake Corum (Michigan, 2023), Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota, 2022), and Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan, 2021). For a full list of past winners, visit www.Comeback-Player.com.
Looking Ahead
With two games left in the season, Horvath’s performance will be pivotal in determining if he can secure a spot among the top three honorees. His inspiring comeback has already etched his name in Navy’s record books and made him a strong contender for this prestigious recognition.
