On Wednesday morning, the College Sports Communicators and Associated Press announced their preseason watch list for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, and the list includes two returning members of the Virginia Tech football team who missed the 2023 season.

Wide receiver Ali Jennings and tight end Nick Gallo were on the list and both will play key roles in the Hokies’ offense in 2024. Gallo dropped out late in fall practice and missed the entire season, while Jennings, who had just transferred from Old Dominion, impressed in the season opener but was sidelined with an ankle/leg injury in a loss to Purdue in Week 2.

Gallo has one year of eligibility remaining and was questionable as to whether he would take a medical redshirt for the season, but he did. This gives the Hokies an experienced tight end for a unit that is fairly young and somewhat untested.

Jennings was impressive in Virginia Tech’s victory over his former teammates in the Monarchs, as he had five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He caught touchdown passes of 10 and 6 yards in the 36-17 victory at Lane Stadium over Labor Day weekend.

Like Gallo, it was unclear if Jennings would request a medical redshirt, but he did and is back, impressing head coach Brent Pry, offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen and his wide receiver teammates in the first week of practice.

Against Old Dominion, Jennings showed what a good player he can be, and if he stays healthy, he and the offense are in for big things this season. That both Gallo and Jennings are on the preseason watch list for the Comeback Player of the Year Award is no surprise, as both are important parts of the Hokies’ offense and quarterback Kyron Drones.