Cody Thompson Named Comeback Player of the Year Nominee

Toledo, Ohio – Toledo senior wide receiver Cody Thompson (Huron, Ohio) was named a nominee for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year, it was announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl.

Thompson was one of three nominees announced today. Ten times during the 2018 college football season, three inspiring student-athletes from all levels of college football who have overcome injury, illness or other challenges will be recognized as Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Nominees. At the end of the season, the 30 nominees will be eligible for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award.

These three honorees are now eligible to be named a Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award winner at the end of the season. Mayo Clinic, the premier sponsor, will donate $5,000 to the general scholarship funds for the three winners and $2,500 in the name of six other worthy finalists. In addition, the three honorees will be recognized during a special ceremony during the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. Honorees and winners are selected by a panel of writers, editors and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and Touchdown Illustrated, and representatives of the Fiesta Bowl.

Thompson was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2016, catching 64 passes for a then school-record 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last season, he was averaging 126.3 yards per game and 18.7 yards per catch going into the EMU game on Oct. 7 in which he suffered a season-ending injury. He was granted an injury hardship waiver by the NCAA, giving him another chance to complete his senior season. So far through three games this season, Thompson has nine receptions for 144 yards and four touchdowns. He is on the official watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the top receiver in the country.

Thompson, who earned Academic All-MAC honors in 2016, graduated last December with a 3.7 GPA in marketing. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in recreation & leisure. He has volunteered for numerous community activities and organizations, including the Toledo Boys and Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House, Cherry Street Mission, RockeThon for Mercy Children's Hospital, Kids Day at the Glass City Marathon, Rocket Football Victory Day, the Toledo Crash wheelchair football team, and many others.

Thompson is a nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy, awarded annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement; the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which honors college football players who balance academics and athletics, while remaining committed to helping others and bettering their communities; the Campbell Award, presented to the top scholar-athlete in the nation; the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, presented annually to the Division I college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field; and the NCAA Senior CLASS Award, which honors the attributes of NCAA Division I senior student-athletes in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition.

Cody Thompson Named Comeback Player of the Year Nominee

Players Mentioned

Cody Thompson

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