Two former LSU standouts, Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers, have entered the conversation for the 2025 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, a testament to their remarkable recoveries after injury‑riddled campaigns.
The Odds Behind the Comeback
Betting platforms have responded with odds that reflect both the optimism and the uncertainty surrounding their returns, with Daniels listed at +550 on FanDuel and tied for second with Kyler Murray, while Nabers sits at +1900, placing him among the fifth‑most likely candidates.
Daniels missed ten games during the 2025 season after a breakout rookie year in 2024, a stretch that saw him battle a series of setbacks that kept him off the field for much of the schedule.
Nabers, meanwhile, endured a torn ACL in Week 4 of the same season, an injury that ended his campaign early but did not halt his rehabilitation, as he has been spotted fully participating in training camp drills.
A Shared LSU Legacy
Both athletes shared the LSU locker room in 2024, where they each earned every offensive rookie‑of‑the‑year accolade, setting the stage for a narrative that now extends beyond college into the professional arena.
Analysts note that the betting interest underscores a broader fascination with how quickly players can rebound, especially when their previous seasons were marred by injury.
As the award race tightens, the performances of Daniels and Nabers will be closely monitored by fans, coaches, and oddsmakers alike, each snap potentially reshaping the odds and the story of their comebacks.