(BCSNN) -- Texas Tech senior safety Cole Wisniewski has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, presented by the College Sports Communicators, the Associated Press, and the Fiesta Sports Foundation.

Wisniewski is one of four Big 12 players on the list, joining Houston’s Conner Weigman and Corey Platt Jr., and Iowa State’s Caleb Bacon. The award, established in 2018, honors student-athletes who have overcome injury, illness, or other challenges. Three winners will be announced Dec. 17.

A transfer from North Dakota State, Wisniewski has been a catalyst for the Red Raiders’ defensive resurgence in 2025. He has started all 12 games, ranking third on the team with 67 tackles, including five for loss and one sack. He has also broken up five passes, forced two fumbles, and recovered another, helping Texas Tech emerge as one of the nation’s leaders in takeaways.

The Red Raiders enter the Edward Jones Big 12 Championship ranked No. 4 nationally after an 11–1 regular season. Texas Tech’s defense has been among the best in the country, allowing just 11.3 points per game (third nationally) and 258.9 total yards per contest (sixth).

Wisniewski’s comeback follows a lost 2024 season due to a foot injury at NDSU. Before that setback, he was a consensus FCS All-American, leading Division I with eight interceptions and pacing the Bison with 92 tackles.

“Cole has been one of the anchors of our defense this season,” head coach Joey McGuire said earlier this week. “His toughness and leadership embody what Texas Tech football is all about.”

Wisniewski will look to continue his comeback story Saturday when Texas Tech faces No. 11 BYU in the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on ABC and the Texas Tech Sports Network.