University of Massachusets Athletics
Three Minutemen Land On 2026 Comeback Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List
August 20, 2026 | Football
Nobles, Harding and Magee are among 94 nominees.
Nobles, Harding and Magee were three of 94 college football student-athletes from 59 different school to be considered for the honor. The three were also among eight players from the Mid-American Conference to land on the list.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances since 2018. 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 receive the accolade at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Previous winners of the Comeback Player of the Year Award includes: 2025 - Christian Bodnar (Liberty University); Byrum Brown (USF); Bryce Steele (Boston College); 2024: Ike Larsen (Utah State); Raheim Sanders (South Carolina); Tyler Shough (Louisville); 2023 – Blake Corum (Michigan); Jacob Dobbs (Holy Cross); Mike Hollins (Virginia); 2022 - Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota); Laiatu Latu (UCLA); Michael Penix Jr. (Washington); 2021 – Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan); McKenzie Milton (Florida State); J.J. Weaver (Kentucky); 2020 – Jarek Broussard (Colorado); Kenneth Horsey (Kentucky); Silas Kelly (Coastal Carolina); 2019 – Jake Luton (Oregon State); Drew Wilson (Georgia Southern); Octavion Wilson (Salisbury); 2018 - Antwan Dixon (Kent State), Seth Simmer (Dartmouth); Antonio Wimbush (Carson-Newman). For a complete list of past honorees, visit www.Comeback-Player.com.
The Minutemen open the season at Rutgers on Thursday, September 3 and then play host to Sacred Heart on Saturday, September 12 in their home opener. Click here for additional ticket information.
2026 Home Schedule & Promotional Themes
Saturday, September 12 vs. Sacred Heart
Matthew Bullock Day | Youth Day | Education Day
Saturday, September 19 vs. Stonehill
Hall of Fame Game | Hispanic Heritage Month
Saturday, October 3 vs. Eastern Michigan
Family Weekend | Band Day | Breast Cancer Awareness
Saturday, October 10 vs. Miami (OH)
Homecoming | Mental Health Awareness
Wednesday, November 4 vs. Ball State
MACtion | Salute to Service | Faculty & Staff Appreciation
Wednesday, November 18 vs. Akron
MACtion | Senior Night | Fan Appreciation
Clear Bag Policy
To help maintain safe and secure environments at the Mullins Center and McGuirk Alumni Stadium, UMass Athletics has implemented a clear bag policy that limits the size and type of bags permitted inside the venue.
The following bags are permitted:
- Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 14" x 6" x 14"
- Small clutch bags no larger than 5" x 8" (not required to be clear)
- All other bags are prohibited but exceptions will be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags or other childcare-related bags, which are subject to inspection upon entry
- There will be no storage available for prohibited bags
-- UMassAthletics.com --
