Maryland Earns Spot on Comeback Player of the Year Watch List

By Marc Henry (Via Mustang Wire)

NEW YORK CITY (SMU) – SMU tight end RJ Maryland has been named to the 2025 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, the College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday in partnership with the Fiesta Bowl Organization and The Associated Press.

The award recognizes college football student-athletes who have overcome injury, illness, or other setbacks. At season’s end, three players will be selected by a panel of writers, editors, and sports information directors as the Comeback Player of the Year Award winners, honored at the Fiesta Bowl.

Maryland has been a consistent playmaker for the Mustangs since his debut in 2022. As a freshman, he appeared in every game with six starts, recording 28 receptions for 296 yards and six touchdowns, earning College Football Network Freshman All-America Honorable Mention. He followed with a standout sophomore campaign, posting five 50-yard receiving games and tying for the most touchdown catches by a tight end nationally with seven, while being named All-AAC First Team and DCTF All-Texas Second Team.

Entering 2024, Maryland landed on multiple preseason lists, including DCTF Best Tight End, Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Third Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team, and the Mackey Award Watch List. He then opened his junior season with an explosive performance, hauling in eight catches for 162 yards against Nevada to earn ACC Receiver of the Week, the first Mustang ever to do so. Despite an injury ending his season after just five games, he still finished with 24 receptions for 359 yards and four touchdowns, garnering All-ACC honors.

Now fully healthy, the Texas native enters 2025 with renewed momentum, already securing preseason recognition on the Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Second Team, DCTF All-Texas First Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team, and the John Mackey Award Watch List.