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HONOLULU — UTSA junior Josiah Tauaefa has been named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award watch list for the second straight season, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity. This year's watch list is composed of 50 players from 34 different Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Tauaefa, a 6-2, 245-pound linebacker, is a preseason All-Conference USA selection and a 2016 FWAA Freshman All-American. Last season, the Lake Dallas High product registered 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, two pass breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown despite missing most of four contests. The Corinth, Texas, native posted a school-record 115 tackles, nine TFLs, six sacks, seven quarterback hurries and an interception en route to C-USA Freshman of the Year and first-team all-league honors in 2016.
"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become one of the most prestigious awards in college football," Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee, said. "This award allows us to showcase the tremendous impact of our Polynesian student-athletes."
Five finalists for this year's Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 5 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 14. The presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner, and they will be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl at Aloha Stadium.
The watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2018 season progresses. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL Network writer and commentator Steve Wyche and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
Former Oregon and current Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014. Other winners include former Notre Dame and current Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (2015), former Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau (2016) and former Washington State and current Minnesota Vikings defensive end Hercules Mata`afa (2017).
2018 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST
Presented by the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel
School, Name Position Class
Utah, Bradlee Anae, DL, Junior
Iowa, AJ Epenesa, DL, Sophomore
Utah, Lo Falemaka, OL, Senior
Stanford, Brandon Fanaika, OL, Senior
Oregon, Austin Faoliu, DL, Sophomore
Penn State, Koa Farmer, LB, Senior
LSU, Breiden Fehoko, DE, Junior
Utah, Leki Fotu, DL, Junior
Notre Dame, Alohi Gilman, DB, Junior
USC, Jordan Iosefa, LB, Junior
BYU, Corbin Kaufusi, DL, Senior
San Diego State, Ronley Lakalaka, LB, Senior
BYU, Moroni Laulu-Pututau, TE, Senior
Oregon State, Gus Lavaka, OL, Junior
Eastern Michigan, Jimmy Leatiota, OL, Junior
Iowa State, Ray Lima, DL, Junior
USC, Toa Lobendahn, OL, Senior
Boise State, Sonatane Lui, DL, Junior
Boise State, Tyson Maeva, LB, Junior
USC, Vavae Malepeai, RB, Sophomore
Hawaii, Solomon Matautia, LB, Junior
Washington State, Frederick Mauigoa, OL, Junior
Boise State, David Moa, DT, Junior
Michigan, Bryan Mone, DL, Senior
Maryland, Brendan Moore, OL, Senior
North Texas, Sosaia Mose, C, Junior
Fresno State, Netane Muti, OL, Sophomore
Boise State, Kekoa Nawahine, DB, Junior
California, Kanawai Noa, WR, Junior
BYU, Butch Pau'u, LB, Senior
USC, Brandon Pili, DL, Sophomore
Navy, Jarvis Polu, DL, Senior
UNLV, Justin Polu, OL, Junior
Washington, Benning Potoa'e, DL, Junior
Wisconsin, Olive Sagapolu, DL, Senior
Oklahoma, Dru Samia, OL, Senior
Nevada, Gabriel Sewell, LB, Junior
Ole Miss, Jordan Ta'amu, QB, Senior
UCLA, Boss Tagaloa, OL, Junior
Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Sophomore
BYU, Sione Takitaki, LB, Senior
Utah State, Suli Tamaivena, LB, Senior
UTSA, Josiah Tauaefa, LB, Junior
Hawaii, Jahlani Tavai, LB, Senior
Eastern Washington, Jay-Tee Tiuli, DL, Senior
Oregon State, Noah Togiai, TE, Junior
Utah State, Christopher Unga, LB, Junior
Hawaii, John Ursua, WR, Junior
Texas, Patrick Vahe, OL, Senior
Oregon State, Kalani Vakameilalo, DL, Senior
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 (O`ahu) 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. www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
About the Polynesian Bowl:
"Where the world's top high school football players gather to celebrate culture and play the game they love." Our outstanding partners… BSN Sports, Friends of Hawai`i Charities, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai`i Building & Construction Trades Council, Hawai`i News Now, Hawai`i Tourism Authority, Motiv8 Foundation, NIKE, Sheraton Princess Ka`iulani Hotel and Riddell. www.PolynesianBowl.com.
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