Iowa’s Luke Lachey and Cade McNamara and Iowa State’s Isaiah Alston have been named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List, the College Sports Communicators announced Wednesday.

Since 2018, the award has recognized college football players for overcoming injury, illness or other circumstances. Three winners will be honored at the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.

Lachey was previously recognized as a preseason second-team All-Big Ten tight end by Athlon and was a fourth-team All-Big Ten pick by Phil Steele. Last season, Lachey secured 10 passes for 131 yards before sustaining a season-ending injury in the third game of the season.

McNamara started at quarterback in Iowa’s first five games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury. He completed 46-of-90 passes for 505 yards and four touchdowns.

Alston had nine receptions for 266 yards and two touchdowns in just four games last season due to an ankle injury suffered in a September game against Syracuse. He transferred to Iowa State from Army after the 2023 season.