COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Twenty-four Mountain West football players are among the 96 on the watch list for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, as announced today by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Hawai‘i leads the MW with six players on the watch list, followed by San José State with four. San Diego State and Fresno State have three each, while Nevada, UNLV, Utah State and Wyoming claim two apiece.
The MW’s 24 representatives on the watch list trail only the Big 12’s 26 among FBS conferences.
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list will be made as the 2024 season progresses. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL Player and inaugural inductee Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson (Chairman), coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and inaugural inductee Olin Kreutz, inaugural inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL player and Class of 2015 inductee Ray Schoenke, sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche.
Five finalists for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 3 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 17. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (Jan. 18, 2025) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 17, 2025).
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List (MW representatives)
Tuasivi Nomura, Sr., LB, Fresno State
Daniel Taumalolo, Sr., OL, Fresno State
Mose Vavao, Sr., OL, Fresno State
Pofele Ashlock, So., WR, Hawai‘i
Ezra Evaimalo, Sr., DL, Hawai‘i
Luke Felix-Fualalo, Sr., OL, Hawai‘i
Sergio Muasau, Sr., OL, Hawai‘i
Jonah Panoke, Sr., WR, Hawai‘i
Maurice Ta‘ala, Sr., OL, Hawai‘i
Henry Ikahihifo, Sr., DL, Nevada
Tongiaki Mateialona, Sr., LB, Nevada
Tupu Alualu, Sr., DL, San Diego State
Myles Murao, Jr., OL, San Diego State
Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, Jr., OL, San Diego State
Taniela Latu, Sr., LB, San José State
Quincy Likio, Sr., DL, San José State
Marist Talavou, Sr., OL, San José State
Soane Toia, Sr., DL, San José State
Jacob De Jesus, Sr., WR, UNLV
Tatuo Martinson, Sr., DL, UNLV
Falepule Alo, Sr., OL, Utah State
Tavo Motu‘apuaka, So., OL, Utah State
Shae Suiaunoa, Gr., LB, Wyoming
Nofoafia Tulafono, Sr., OL, Wyoming
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