COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's junior quarterback Aaron Syverson (Minnetonka, Minn.) was named the athletic department's 2023 NovaCare Comeback Player of the Year. 

Honorees must have suffered a substantial injury and be known to SJU's NovaCare Rehabilitation on-campus, physical therapy professionals. NovaCare is the preferred physical therapy and athletic training services provider for Saint John's University.

Syverson passed for 1,768 yards and 17 touchdowns, while leading his team to a 7-0 start during the 2021 season. But Syverson's first season was cut short when he suffered a season-ending leg injury, a broken fibula with torn ligaments, during the Johnnies' 37-7 win on Oct. 23 at Gustavus Adolphus. 

After an offseason of recovery at NovaCare Rehabilitation, Syverson led the Johnnies to their fourth-straight MIAC championship (36th overall) and a 10-2 overall record this fall. He was named All-MIAC and ended the 2022 season sixth in NCAA Division III in passing yards (3,302) and seventh in passing touchdowns (34).

"Aaron had surgery and worked extremely hard to get back into playing shape," SJU head coach Gary Fasching '81 said. "He returned for our spring practices in 2022, and worked all summer to fully recover from his injury and prepare for the season. Aaron showed grit, toughness and determination in his recovery."

NovaCare Comeback Player of the Year
2020: Leighton Lommel (Soccer)
2021: Kyle Sorenson (Basketball)
2022: No Award
2023: Aaron Syverson (Football)

An accounting major with a 3.69 GPA, Syverson enters his senior season fourth in SJU history with five 300-yard passing games, sixth in both passing yards (5,070) and pass completions (382), seventh in passing touchdowns (51) and eighth in pass attempts (589) and total yards (5,227).

SJU opens the 2023 season with a noon kickoff Sept. 2 against Trinity (Texas) in Clemens Stadium.