Bold summary upfront: Oregon high school football’s Comeback Player of the Year race spotlights resilience, grit, and triumph over adversity in 2025. If you’re new to these stories, you’ll see a recurring theme: players returning from injuries or setbacks to star on the biggest stages. Now, let’s walk through the ten contenders and what makes their journeys compelling, clear, and worth cheering for.
Ten Comeback Candidates for 2025
OL/LB Mason Gilliland, senior, Tigard
Gilliland broke his arm in the opening game of his junior season. He bounced back to deliver a standout performance at the Metro Area Lineman Challenge, then earned a spot on the Three Rivers League second team at middle linebacker and an honorable mention at guard. His hard work demonstrates the power of perseverance and re-claiming a leadership role on both sides of the ball.
KR/WR JD Harper, sophomore, Milwaukie
Harper’s freshman year was disrupted by a back injury, but he returned as the Mustangs’ primary kickoff returner and a key receiving option. He totaled 1,342 all-purpose yards, with 332 rushing yards and 34 more on kick returns, along with a pair of rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. His versatile impact landed him second-team all-conference honors as a returner and an honorable mention at running back, plus 5A all-state honorable mention for his special-teams exploits.
S Sammy Huxtable, senior, South Medford
Huxtable missed his junior season due to a hip injury but came back strong to earn first-team honors in the South Central Football Conference and help South Medford win the Columbia Cup in a third straight appearance in the consolation final. He also earned 6A all-state honorable mention, highlighting a successful return to top-level play.
OL Solomon Kroeker, senior, Lake Oswego
Kroeker missed his sophomore and junior seasons because of knee injuries, then seized the opportunity this season. At 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, he started at right guard and helped Lake Oswego win the 6A title. He earned a spot on the Three Rivers League second team and earned 6A all-state honorable mention, underscoring how resilience can turn a difficult injury history into a college-ready lineman arc.
RB Bryce Kuenzi, senior, Cascade
Kuenzi learned mid-season as a junior that he had torn his ACL, yet he returned in his senior year to produce a school-record 2,283 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns for an undefeated 4A state champion Cascade squad. His comeback earned him 4A all-state offensive player of the year and capped a remarkable two-year arc from injury to record-setting performance.
QB Marlan McCowan, junior, McDaniel
McCowan came back from a sophomore-year season-ending injury to post a productive 2025 season, throwing for 1,258 yards and 10 touchdowns and earning a spot on the Portland Interscholastic League’s second team. His steady return demonstrates how a disrupted junior tallies into a breakout sophomore-year impact with development and leadership.
RB/LB Ryden Nakamura, senior, Ridgeview
Nakamura faced an injury that wiped out his junior season. He returned to lead Ridgeview in rushing with 873 yards and 11 touchdowns and added 39 tackles on defense. He earned first-team recognition in the Intermountain Conference and was a 5A all-state third-team pick on offense, showing two-way value from a renewed drive.
RB Killian “KK” Sombe III, senior, Central Catholic
Sombe sat out his junior year due to a knee injury, then reclaimed the lead back role as a veteran, rushing for 706 yards and eight touchdowns to help Central Catholic reach the 6A final. He earned second-team all-Mt. Hood Conference honors and 6A all-state honorable mention, marking a triumphant return to form.
QB Reggie Turner, senior, Bandon
Turner missed the latter part of his junior season after a concussion but rebounded to lead Bandon to its first 10-win season since 1993 and its first semifinal appearance since 2004. He finished with 1,681 total yards and 27 touchdowns, illustrating how a player can rebound to catalyze team progress.
LB Zach VandenBrink, senior, West Linn
VandenBrink suffered a late-season knee injury last fall that sidelined him during West Linn’s 6A state title run. He returned this season to earn second-team all-Three Rivers League honors before another injury in Week 7, highlighting the unpredictable nature of comebacks and the persistence needed to contribute across a season.
Closing thought: These stories of comeback are more than stats. They’re about overcoming real injuries, rebuilding trust with coaches and teammates, and continuing to chase peak performance. Which candidate resonates most with you, and why? Do you think a single season of return play should carry more weight than a longer arc of contribution over multiple years? Share your picks and perspectives in the comments.
