By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A year ago, it wasn't known whether Tennessee Tech linebacker Josh Poplar would be able to play football again.

Now, he's one of the Golden Eagles' leading tacklers and a general on the field for the Tech defense.

It's amazing what can happen in a year.

Poplar was announced Tuesday as one of this week's three nominees for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in association with The Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl organization.

Last summer, following the completion of his fitness test, Poplar lost feeling on one side of his body and had to be helped to the hospital by his roommate. There, he was diagnosed with a stroke and a hole in his heart which required surgery. (More on Poplar's illness: https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2017-08-22/college-football-tennessee-techs-josh-poplar-finds-deeper-meaning)

Following the event, Poplar had to sit out the 2017 campaign, but was still very much a visible and vocal figure on the Tennessee Tech sideline – home and away.

During the offseason, Poplar continued to work and improve as he made his way back, medically cleared and ready to compete once more.

Poplar was awarded the Inspiration Award at the 2018 Golden Wings Awards for his efforts.

Also a strong student in the classroom, Poplar was named the recipient of both the Ohio Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Award and Academic Medal of Honor, and has been previously on CoSIDA's Academic All-District Team.

This season, Poplar is the team's second leading tackler with 74 total stops, 29 solo and 45 assisted, with one tackle-for-loss. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 14 yards for Tech's first touchdown of the season at Chattanooga, a moment that brought cheers and some tears of joy down through the Golden Eagle sideline.

Three nominees are selected each week for a total of 30 nominees. Poplar is joined by Travis Bassett (Bridgewater State), J-Shun Harris II (Indiana), Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech), Cody Thompson (Toledo), Nate Ricci (Minnesota-Duluth), Antwan Dixon (Kent State), Tanner Mangum (Brigham Young), Marquez Stevenson (Houston), Jonathan Duhart (Old Dominion), Donte' Harrell (Widener), Antonio Wimbush (Carson-Newman), David Blough (Purdue), Jordan Miller (Washington), Niall Lewison (Otterbein), Don Butkus (St. Francis [Ill.]), Eric Dungey (Syracuse) and Chapelle Russell (Temple).

All 30 nominees will be eligible for the award at the end of the season. Mayo Clinic, the premier sponsor of the award, will donate $5,000 to the general scholarship funds for the three winners and $2,500 in the name of six other worthy finalists. In addition, the three honorees will be recognized during a ceremony at the 2019 Fiesta Bowl.

Honorees and winners are selected by a panel of writers, editors and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and Touchdown Illustrated, as well as representatives of the Fiesta Bowl.

Photo by Thomas Corhern