Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure was named to the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year watch list released on Wednesday. The Award was announced by College Sports Communicators along with The Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl Organization.
Toure missed the entire 2022 season with torn ACL suffered during spring practice in 2022. He previously led Rutgers in sacks both in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
This fall, Toure has been fantastic in his return from injury. He has the highest grade of any linebacker in the Big Ten per Pro Football Focus.
In all six games, Toure has produced at least five tackles including a career high eight in last Saturday’s loss to Wisconsin. He has 37 tackles including 3 for a loss this season and 1.5 sacks. In addition, Toure has one forced fumble, four quarterback hits and 1 pass break up.
He is a team captain and a key reason why the Rutgers defense has made strides this season. The defense is currently ranking No. 10 nationally in passing defense (165.2 yards), No. 13 in scoring defense (14.7 points), No. 14 in total defense (282.7 yards) and N0. 40 in rushing defense (117.5 yards).
From the Rutgers press release on the Award:
“Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes from all divisions of college football for overcoming injury, illness or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a select panel, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.”
Last season, running back Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota), quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), and linebacker Laiatu Latu (UCLA) were honored.
I think Toure has a reasonable change to hear his game called in 2023. Even if that doesn’t happen, he’s made a major impact on this team so far. It’s fair to expect that to continue.
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