ANNOUNCING THE 2024 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Click here for a video message from Tetairoa
Honolulu, Hawai`i (December 19, 2024) – Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, of Hawaiian ancestry, has been selected as the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
During the 2024 season, McMillan had 84 receptions, 1,319 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He was named first team All-Big-12, consensus All-American and his 3,423 career receiving yards are the most in Arizona Wildcat history.
“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, we congratulate Tetairoa on being named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “His incredible talent, determination, and dedication have inspired not only his team, but also the entire Polynesian community. We look forward to celebrating this achievement with him next month in Hawai’i.”
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; former University of Southern California, Los Angeles Chargers DL Tuli Tuipulotu in 2022; former University of Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa, and former UCLA, Indianapolis Colts DL Laiatu Latu won the award in 2023.
The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 18, 2025), along with being recognized during the 2025 Polynesian Bowl (January 17, 2025).
The Polynesian College Football Offensive & Defensive Players of the Year were voted on 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 NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche.
Other finalists include OL SPENCER FANO (University of Utah), OL LEIF FAUTANU (Arizona State University), QB NICO IAMALEAVA (University of Tennessee), DL J.T. TUIMOLOAU (Ohio State University), and DL MATAYO UIAGALELEI (University of Oregon).
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 47 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.