Duke graduate student wide receiver Eli Pancol earned a spot on the October Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list, the College Sports Communicators (CSC), in association with The Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl announced.

Since 2018, the award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness or other circumstances.

Pancol, a native of Pendleton, Ind., missed the entire 2023 campaign due to a lower-body injury he suffered during preseason fall camp. In 50 career games, 20 starts, he has compiled 93 receptions for 1,206 yards (12.97 yards per catch) with 10 touchdowns and added seven rushes for 40 yards (5.71) with two scores. Additionally, he has two-plus receptions in 28 games and 20-plus receiving yards in 26 contests. He has caught at least one pass in 21 consecutive games played, dating back to the 2021 campaign.

This season, Pancol has started all six games and caught 23 passes for 294 yards (49.00 yards/game) and a single-season high five touchdowns. His five receiving scores lead the Blue Devils and rank tied for second in the ACC.

At the conclusion of each campaign, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.