2022 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Honolulu, HI (December 8, 2022) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today eight Finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
The eight Finalists for 2022 include DL VILIAMI FEHOKO (San Jose State University), DL SIAKI IKA (Baylor University), DL LAIATU LATU (UCLA), OL SATAOA LAUMEA (University of Utah), LB NOAH SEWELL (University of Oregon), QB TAULIA TAGOVAILOA (University of Maryland), DL J.T. TUIMOLOAU (Ohio State University), and DL TULI TUIPULOTU (University of Southern California).
The Finalists were selected from a Watch List of more than 80 players 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, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and Chief National Reporter for NFL Network Steve Wyche.
Former University of Oregon, and current Atlanta Falcons Quarterback, Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014; former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received the award in 2015; former University of Colorado Quarterback Sefo Liufau received the award in 2016; former Washington State Defensive Lineman Hercules Mata`afa received the award in 2017; former University of Alabama Quarterback, and current Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa received the award in 2018 & 2019; former University of Oregon Offensive Tackle, and current Detroit Lions Offensive Lineman, Penei Sewell received the award in 2019; and former University of Southern California, and current San Francisco 49ers Safety, Talanoa Hufanga and former Brigham Young University, and current New York Jets Quarterback, Zach Kapono Wilson received the award in 2020; and former Ohio State Defensive Lineman, Haskell Garrett won the award in 2021.
“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award showcases the tremendous impact of our Polynesian student-athletes in college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “We congratulate the Finalists on an incredible season and look forward to following their continued success.”
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 13, 2022. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2023 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 21, 2023).
2022 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
VILIAMI FEHOKO (San Jose State University)
Defensive Line … Junior … Tongan & Fijian Ancestry … Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year … First Team All-Mountain West Conference Selection … 65 tackles (39 solo) … 10 sacks … Born in East Palo Alto, CA.
SIAKI IKA (Baylor University)
Defensive Line … Junior … Tongan Ancestry … First Team All-Big 12 Conference Selection… 23 tackles (10 solo) … two passes defended … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
LAIATU LATU (UCLA)
Defensive Line … Junior … Tongan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection… 33 tackles (21 solo) … 9.5 sacks … three forced fumbles … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Sacramento, CA.
SATAOA LAUMEA (University of Utah)
Offensive Line … Sophomore … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection … Started every game for Utah in 2022 … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Rialto, CA
NOAH SEWELL (University of Oregon)
Linebacker … Junior … Samoan Ancestry … Second Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection… 55 tackles (24 solo) … 1.5 sacks … one fumble recovery … one interception … three passes defended … 2020 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Malaeimi, American Samoa.
TAULIA TAGOVAILOA (University of Maryland)
Quarterback … Junior … Samoan Ancestry … Second Team All-Big Ten Conference Selection … 2,787 passing yards … 27 passing TDs … four rushing TDs … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … All-Time passing yards and passing touchdowns leader at the University of Maryland … Born in ‘Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
J.T. TUIMOLOAU (Ohio State University)
Defensive Line … Sophomore … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Big Ten Conference Selection … 28 tackles (16 solo) … 3.5 sacks … two INT (one returned for TD) … one forced fumble … two passes defended … 2021 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year … 2021 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Englewood, Washington.
TULI TUIPULOTU (University of Southern California)
Defensive Line … Junior … Tongan Ancestry … 44 tackles (29 solo) … 12.5 sacks … two forced fumbles … three passes defended … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection … 2022 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year … 2020 Polynesian Bowl All – Star … Born in Hawthorne, California.
About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa. Other board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe. PolynesianFootballHOF.org
About the Polynesian Bowl: The Polynesian Bowl is a premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation’s top ranked high school seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. The game has become the most sought-after all-star football invitation – a rapid rise from its inaugural game in 2017. This past January, top ranked 2022 player Travis Hunter participated in the game and was named Offensive MVP. The game will be broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. Major partners include Microsoft Surface Pro, adidas, BodyArmor, Riddell, CrossCountry Mortgage, Friends of Hawai`i Charities, Hawaiian Airlines, HBCTC, Hawai`i News Now and World Wide Safety. For more information, go to PolynesianBowl.com