Bodnar Named Comeback Player of the Year Award Winner
12/17/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
A successful return to the field in 2025 following a season cut short by illness the year prior helped Liberty's Christian Bodnar earn Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Bodnar was one of three national winners of this year's award. This honor is presented by the College Sports Communicators in association with The Associated Press (AP) and Fiesta Sports Foundation.
Since 2018, the Comeback Player of the Year award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances.
At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners.
Joining Bodnar as this year's award winners USF quarterback Byrum Brown and Boston College linebacker Bryce Steele.
This year's three award winners will be recognized at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2026, at State Farm Stadium from Glendale, Ariz. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is serving this year as one of two semifinal games in the College Football Playoffs.
Bodnar saw playing time in all 12 games during the 2025 season. He started nine contests for the Flames in the defensive backfield at Liberty's Star position.
The native of Brandon, Fla., ranked fourth on Liberty's roster with a career-high 44 tackles, including 35 solo stops. He added 2.0 sacks for a loss of 12 yards, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
He finished seven games with four or more tackles and had breakout games against Missouri State (four solo tackles, including two sacks), FIU (seven solo stops) and Kennesaw State (six solo tackles and a pass breakup).
Last year, Bodnar was quickly becoming a rising star on Liberty's defense in 2024. He tallied 13 tackles (eight solo, five assisted) and 2.5 tackles for a loss during the first five games.
He also recorded two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup, while adding a 43-yard interception return against UTEP.
His breakout game would prove to be his last on the field, as Bodnar finished the FIU game with seven tackles (four solo, three assisted). The defensive back secured Liberty's win against the Panthers with a sack and a forced fumble to end the game in the 31-24 overtime win.
Just days later, Bodnar woke up with a severe headache and was rushed to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed him with post-infectious encephalitis — a rare condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain following a routine illness.
The swelling on the left side of his brain impaired the right side of his body, and within days he went from rising defensive standout to losing the ability to walk.
He spent a week in the hospital and months in rehabilitation, relearning basic motor skills while the season continued without him.
Only in January did he receive full medical clearance, allowing him to finally return to the sport that anchored him through recovery.
Bodnar is a two-time Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member. Prior to the 2025 season, he was named to the Phil Steele CUSA Preseason All-Conference third-team and the Athlon Sports CUSA Preseason All-Conference fourth-team.
Bodnar was one of three national winners of this year's award. This honor is presented by the College Sports Communicators in association with The Associated Press (AP) and Fiesta Sports Foundation.
Since 2018, the Comeback Player of the Year award has recognized college football student-athletes for overcoming injury, illness, or other circumstances.
At the conclusion of each season, in a vote by a panel of college football writers, editors, and sports information directors, three college football student athletes are honored as Comeback Player of the Year Award winners.
Joining Bodnar as this year's award winners USF quarterback Byrum Brown and Boston College linebacker Bryce Steele.
This year's three award winners will be recognized at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2026, at State Farm Stadium from Glendale, Ariz. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is serving this year as one of two semifinal games in the College Football Playoffs.
Bodnar saw playing time in all 12 games during the 2025 season. He started nine contests for the Flames in the defensive backfield at Liberty's Star position.
The native of Brandon, Fla., ranked fourth on Liberty's roster with a career-high 44 tackles, including 35 solo stops. He added 2.0 sacks for a loss of 12 yards, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
He finished seven games with four or more tackles and had breakout games against Missouri State (four solo tackles, including two sacks), FIU (seven solo stops) and Kennesaw State (six solo tackles and a pass breakup).
Last year, Bodnar was quickly becoming a rising star on Liberty's defense in 2024. He tallied 13 tackles (eight solo, five assisted) and 2.5 tackles for a loss during the first five games.
He also recorded two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup, while adding a 43-yard interception return against UTEP.
His breakout game would prove to be his last on the field, as Bodnar finished the FIU game with seven tackles (four solo, three assisted). The defensive back secured Liberty's win against the Panthers with a sack and a forced fumble to end the game in the 31-24 overtime win.
Just days later, Bodnar woke up with a severe headache and was rushed to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed him with post-infectious encephalitis — a rare condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain following a routine illness.
The swelling on the left side of his brain impaired the right side of his body, and within days he went from rising defensive standout to losing the ability to walk.
He spent a week in the hospital and months in rehabilitation, relearning basic motor skills while the season continued without him.
Only in January did he receive full medical clearance, allowing him to finally return to the sport that anchored him through recovery.
Bodnar is a two-time Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member. Prior to the 2025 season, he was named to the Phil Steele CUSA Preseason All-Conference third-team and the Athlon Sports CUSA Preseason All-Conference fourth-team.
Players Mentioned
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