2023 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Honolulu, HI (December 7, 2023) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced 10 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 10 Finalists include DL Jonah elliss (University of Utah), OL Troy fautanu (University of Washington), OL TALIESE FUAGA (Oregon State University), DL LAIATU LATU (UCLA), WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN (University of Arizona), RB JAYDN OTT (University of California), OL DOMINICK PUNI (University of Kansas), QB TAULIA TAGOVAILOA (University of Maryland), DL J.T. TUIMOLOAU (Ohio State University), and DB/AP SIONE VAKI (University of Utah). 

The Finalists were selected from a Watch List of nearly 100 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, former ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and Chief National Reporter for NFL Network Steve Wyche.   

Former University of Oregon, Philadelphia Eagles QB Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014; former University of Notre Dame, Baltimore Ravens OL Ronnie Stanley in 2015; former University of Colorado QB Sefo Liufau in 2016; former Washington State DE Hercules Mata`afa in 2017; former University of Alabama, Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in 2018 & 2019; former University of Oregon, Detroit Lions OL Penei Sewell in 2019; former University of Southern California, San Francisco 49ers Safety Talanoa Hufanga, and former Brigham Young University, New York Jets QB Zach Kapono Wilson in 2020; former Ohio State University DL Haskell Garrett in 2021; and former University of Southern California, Los Angeles Chargers DL Tuli Tuipulotu in 2022. 

“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, we congratulate the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “Each of these young men had an incredible season and are a testament to the tremendous impact our Polynesian student-athletes are having in college football today.”

2023 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS 

JONAH ELLISS (University of Utah)

Defensive Line … Junior … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection … Second Team CBS Sports All-America Team … 37 tackles (23 solo) … 12 sacks … Born in Moscow, Idaho.

 

TROY FAUTANU (University of Washington)

Offensive Line … Junior … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection… has started all 13 games for Washington in 2023 … Born in Henderson, Nevada.

TALIESE FUAGA (Oregon State University)

Offensive Line … Junior … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection … First Team CBS Sports All-America Team … Has started all 12 games for Oregon State in 2023 … 2020 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Tacoma, Washington.

 

LAIATU LATU (UCLA)

Defensive Line … Senior … Tongan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection… Bednarik Award Finalist … First Team CBS Sports All-America Team …  49 tackles (28 solo) … 13 sacks … Two forced fumbles … two interceptions …  2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Sacramento, California.

 

TETAIROA MCMILLAN (University of Arizona)

Wide Receiver … Sophomore … Hawaiian Ancestry … Second Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection… 80 receptions … 1,242 receiving yards … 11 total touchdowns … 2022 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Waimanalo, Hawai'i.

 

JAYDN OTT (University of California)

Running back … Sophomore … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection … 1,260 rushing yards … 13 total touchdowns … 2021 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Chino, California.

 

DOMINICK PUNI (University of Kansas)

Offensive Line … Senior … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Big 12 Conference Selection  … Born in St. Charles, Missouri. 

  

TAULIA TAGOVAILOA (University of Maryland)

Quarterback … Senior … Samoan Ancestry … Second Team All-Big 10 Conference Selection … 3,337 passing yards … 30 total touchdowns … Big Ten Conference all-time passing yards leader … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All – Star … Born in 'Ewa Beach, Hawai’i.

J.T. TUIMOLOAU (Ohio State University)

Defensive Line … Junior … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Big 10 Conference Selection … 34 tackles (11 solo) … four sacks … one fumble recovery … two passes defended … 2021 Polynesian Bowl All – Star … Born in Edgewood, Washington.

 

SIONE VAKI (University of Utah)

Safety/All-Purpose … Sophomore … Tongan Ancestry … First Team All-Pac-12 Conference Selection … Paul Hornung Award Finalist … 50 tackles (37 solo) … two sacks … 520 total yards … five total touchdowns … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All – Star … Born in Antioch, 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. There are currently 44 inductees. For more information, visit 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. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, and Nico Iamaleava. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com.