Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List
At a glance:
- Award to be presented to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian Ancestry.
- The 2016 Watch List is composed of 38 players from 24 different FBS schools.
- The Pac-12 Conference led all conferences with 16 players, followed by the Mountain West (6), Big 12 (2), Sun Belt (2), ACC (1), American Athletic (1), Big 10 (1), Conference USA (1), Mid-American (1), SEC (1), and Independents (6).
Honolulu, HI (July 27, 2016) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the 2016 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Former University of Oregon, and current Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014 and former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received last year’s honor.
The winner of the 2016 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 7, 2016. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 22. The formal presentation of the award will be held at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 20, 2017.
“It is remarkable that the first two recipients of the Award were selected in the top six picks overall in the NFL Draft (#2 Marcus Mariota, 2015 and #6 Ronnie Stanley, 2016),” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman & Co-Founder. “This award allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football.”
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2016-2017 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes Coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2016 WATCH LIST
| First Name | Last Name | School | Position | Class |
| Ricky | Ali'ifua | Utah State | DL | Senior |
| Isaac | Asiata | Utah | OL | Senior |
| Asotui | Eli | Hawai'i | Center | Soph |
| Salesa | Faraimo | Nevada | DL | Senior |
| Breiden | Fehoko | Texas Tech | DL | Soph |
| Salamo | Fiso | Arizona State | LB | Senior |
| Randall | Goforth | UCLA | DB | Soph |
| Cole | Hikutini | Louisville | TE | Senior |
| Nate | Iese | UCLA | TE/FB | Senior |
| Canton | Kaumatule | Oregon | DL | Soph |
| Steven | Lakalaka | Hawai'i | RB | Senior |
| Harvey | Langi | BYU | LB | Senior |
| Inoke | Langi | Texas State | TE/LS | Soph |
| Tueni | Lupeamanu | Idaho | DL | Senior |
| Ului | Lapuaho | BYU | OL | Junior |
| Darrin | Laufasa | UTEP | FB | Senior |
| Sefo | Liufau | Colorado | QB | Senior |
| Toa | Lobendahn | USC | OL | Junior |
| Tau | Lotulelei | UNLV | LB | Senior |
| Lowell | Lotulelei | Utah | DT | Junior |
| Shalom | Luani | Washington State | Safety | Senior |
| Damien | Mama | USC | OL | Junior |
| Brandon | Manosalvas | Buffalo | OL | Junior |
| Hercules | Mata'afa | Washington State | DE | Soph |
| Christian | Matau | East Carolina | OL | Junior |
| David | Moa | Boise State | DL | Soph |
| Viliami | Moeakiola | Arizona State | LB | Senior |
| Kai | Nacua | BYU | DB | Senior |
| Butch | Pau`u | BYU | LB | Soph |
| Olive | Sagapolu | Wisconsin | DT | Soph |
| Dru | Samia | Oklahoma | OL | Soph |
| JuJu | Smith-Schuster | USC | WR | Junior |
| Anu | Solomon | Arizona | QB | Junior |
| Logan | Taele | BYU | DL | Senior |
| Sunia | Tauteoli | Utah | LB | Junior |
| Christian | Tago | San Jose State | LB | Senior |
| Pita | Taumoepenu | Utah | DE | Senior |
| Sae | Tautu | BYU | DL | Senior |
| Jahlani | Tavai | Hawai'i | LB | Soph |
| Maea | Teuhema | LSU | OL | Soph |
| Travis | Tuiloma | BYU | DL | Senior |
| Josh | Tupou | Colorado | DL | Senior |
| Vita | Vea | Washington | DL | Soph |
| Psalm | Wooching | Washington | LB | Senior |