COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Twelve Mountain West football players are on the watch list for the 2025 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 both on and off the field.

Hawai‘i and San José State lead the MW with four players each on the watch list, followed by Boise State, Nevada, San Diego State and Utah State with one apiece.

The MW’s 12 representatives on the watch list trail only the Big 12 and Big Ten among FBS conferences.

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and potential for the upcoming season. Additions to the list will be made as the 2025 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, NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche and former NFL Player and Class of 2023 Inductee Manti Te`o.

Finalists for the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 9 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 16. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (Jan. 17, 2026), and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 16, 2026).

Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List (MW representatives)
Braxton Fely, Sr., DL, Boise State
Pofele Ashlock, Jr., WR, Hawai‘i
Peter Manuma, Sr., DB, Hawai‘i
James Milovale, Sr., OL, Hawai‘i
Kuao Pelhopa, Sr., OL, Hawai‘i
Nelson Ropati, Sr., DT, Nevada
Tano Letuli, Jr., LB, San Diego State
Gafa Faga, Sr., DT, San José State
Peseti Lapuaho, Sr., OT, San José State
Taniela Latu, Sr., LB, San José State
Quincy Likio, Sr., DE, San José State
Kahanu Davis, Sr., WR, Utah State