UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt junior defensive end Adisa Isaac and senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher were named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list on Wednesday. They are two of 61 student-athletes on the watch list.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award is presented by the College Sports Communicators in association with The Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl Organization.
Adisa Isaac · R-Jr. · DE · 6-4 · 243 · Brooklyn, N.Y. · Canarsie
- Has appeared in 25 career games.
- Has started all five games at defensive end this season.
- Made his first career start against Purdue (9/1).
- Has recorded seven tackles (4 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four QB hurries.
- Assisted on two tackles for loss against Ohio (9/10).
- Collected a career-high three tackles for loss, including a sack in the fourth quarter, at Auburn (9/17).
- Named the coaching staff's Defensive Player of the Game following the Auburn game.
- Assisted on a tackle for loss and added a QB hurry against Northwestern (10/1).
- Has recorded nine career tackles for loss and four sacks.
- Majoring in rehabilitation and human services.
PJ Mustipher · Sr+ · DT · 6-4 · 321 · Owings Mills, Md. · McDonogh School
- Is also a member of the Rotary Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy and Reese's Senior Bowl watch lists.
- Voted a team captain for the second-straight season.
- Has appeared in 45 career games at Penn State, making 21 starts.
- Has started all five games in 2022.
- Has posted 17 tackles (9 solo) with a tackle for loss and QB hurry.
- Recorded a solo tackle in each game at Purdue (9/1) and at Auburn (9/17), adding a half-tackle for loss and a QB hurry against the Tigers.
- Registered a team-best six tackles (3 solo) against Central Michigan (9/24).
- Matched a career-high with eight tackles (4) solo and assisted on a tackle for loss vs. Northwestern (10/1).
- Earned Coaching Staff's Defensive Player of the Game following the Northwestern game.
- Named second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and honorable mention by the media in 2021.
- Made 21 tackles (16 solo) to go with three tackles for loss and a sack in six games in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury vs. Iowa.
- Selected honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media in 2020.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award recognizes college football student-athletes from all divisions of college football for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances. At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student-athletes will be honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners at the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.
Penn State Football Recognized on 2022 Season Watch Lists
Barney Amor: Ray Guy Award
Ji'Ayir Brown: Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Senior Bowl
Sean Clifford: Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, Maxwell Award, Senior Bowl, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Wuerffel Trophy
Adisa Isaac: Comeback Player of the Year
Theo Johnson: Mackey Award
Keyvone Lee: Doak Walker Award
PJ Mustipher: Comeback Player of the Year, Rotary Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, Senior Bowl
Joey Porter Jr.: Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy
Juice Scruggs: Rimington Trophy
Chris Stoll: Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Mannelly Award
Brenton Strange: Mackey Award
Jonathan Sutherland: Paul Hornung Award
Mitchell Tinsley: Biletnikoff Award, Senior Bowl
Parker Washington: Biletnikoff Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose
No. 10/10 Penn State travels to No. 5/4 Michigan on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at the Big House with a broadcast on FOX.
The Nittany Lions return to Beaver Stadium on Saturday, October 22 for the 14th annual Penn State White Out game vs. Minnesota. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.
The 2022 Penn State Football season is presented by PSECU.