TALLAHASSEE – Florida State redshirt junior Jaylin Lucas is on the preseason watch list for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, presented by the College Sports Communicators, Associated Press and Fiesta Bowl.
Lucas suffered a season-ending injury in Florida State’s game against Boston College on Labor Day. The Houma, Louisiana, native had just seven touches in 2024, including 13 rushing yards on two carries, three catches for 39 yards and 36 yards on two kickoff returns.
At Indiana in 2022-23, Lucas accumulated 2,052 all-purpose yards courtesy of 1,163 kickoff return yards, 546 rushing yards, 329 receiving yards and 14 punt return yards. His three kickoff return touchdowns are tied for the Hoosiers’ career record.
As a sophomore in 2023, Lucas earned third-team All-Big Ten honors after leading the league with 26.0 yards per kickoff return. He ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 92.3 all-purpose yards per game.
As a true freshman in 2022, Lucas was a first-team All-American kick returner, the Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year and a first-team All-Big Ten return specialist. Lucas led the nation with two kickoff returns in 2022 and was the first Indiana player since 2014 with three 70-yard scoring plays in a season.
For his career, Lucas has 1,199 kickoff return yards, 559 rushing yards and 368 receiving yards, with nine total touchdowns.
Lucas will make his return on August 30 at 3:30 p.m. against Alabama. The contest will air nationally on ABC.
Preseason Award Watch Lists
Maxwell Award – Tommy Castellanos
Wuerffel Trophy – Richie Leonard IV
Mannelly Award – Mason Arnold
Doak Walker Award – Gavin Sawchuk
Rimington Trophy – Luke Petitbon
Mackey Award – Randy Pittman Jr. and Landen Thomas
Bednarik Award – Darrell Jackson Jr.
Unitas Award – Tommy Castellanos
Comeback Player of the Year – Jaylin Lucas
