2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists Announced
Honolulu, HI (December 11, 2024) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced six 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 six Finalists include DL MATAYO UIAGALELEI (University of Oregon), 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 WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN (University of Arizona).
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; former UCLA, Indianapolis Colts DE Laiatu Latu, and former University of Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa in 2023.
"On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, we extend our congratulations to the finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "These young men have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, showcasing the profound influence Polynesian student-athletes continue to have in college football today.”
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 19, 2024. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 18, 2025) and they will be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 17, 2025).
2024 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
SPENCER FANO (University of Utah)
Offensive Line … Sophomore … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Big-12 Conference Selection … PFF First Team All-American … has started all 12 games for Utah in 2024 … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Spanish Fork, UT.
LEIF FAUTANU (Arizona State University)
Offensive Line … Senior … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Big-12 Conference Selection
… Has started all 12 games for Arizona State in 2024 … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Honolulu, HI.
NICO IAMALEAVA (University of Tennessee)
Quarterback … Freshman … Samoan Ancestry … 2512 passing yards … 19 touchdowns … 70.5 QBR … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Long Beach, CA.
TETAIROA MCMILLAN (University of Arizona)
Wide Receiver … Junior … Hawaiian Ancestry … PFF First Team All-American … First Team All-Big-12 Conference Selection … 84 receptions … 1,319 receiving yards … 8 total touchdowns … 2022 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Waimanalo, HI.
J.T. TUIMOLOAU (Ohio State University)
Defensive Line … Senior … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Big Ten Conference Selection … 38 tackles (19 solo) … 6 sacks … 1 forced fumble … 2020 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Edgewood, WA.
MATAYO UIAGALELEI (University of Oregon)
Defensive Line … Sophomore … Samoan Ancestry … First Team All-Big Ten Conference Selection … 37 tackles (23 solo) … 10.5 sacks … 2 Forced Fumbles … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Bellflower, 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 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.