HONOLULU — UTSA senior Ahofitu Maka has been named to the preseason watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Thursday.
Maka, a native of Honolulu, Hawai'i, is one of 85 players on the watch list for the award presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
This marks the third preseason honor for Maka, who also has been tabbed to preseason watch lists for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.
A second-team all-conference selection at center in each of the last two seasons Maka has started 37 career games, including 36 at center, as a Roadrunner after transferring from Independence Community College prior to the 2019 campaign. Over the last two seasons, he has allowed only two sacks in more than 500 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, as the leader on the offensive line that has paved the way for a record-setting unit.
In 2020, UTSA broke single-season program records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24). Maka surrendered just one sack and three hits on the quarterback in 430 pass-blocking snaps that season.
Last fall, Maka started all 14 contests at center, allowing just one sack and three hits on the quarterback in 471 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus. He helped pave the way for an offense that set school records for total yards (6,146), total yards per game (439.0), passing yards (3,577), passing yards per game (255.5), points scored (516) and points per game (36.9).
Also an excellent student, Maka is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, a three-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member, a 2021 C-USA All-Academic Team pick and a C-USA Academic Medal recipient.
Five finalists for the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 1 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 15. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner on Jan. 21, 2023, at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl the day prior.
"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become one of the most competitive and prestigious awards in college football," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. "This award has become a source of great pride for Polynesians everywhere."
The watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2022 season progresses. The finalists and winner will be chosen 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 Everettand NFL Network commentator Steve Wyche.
UTSA will open its 12th season of play and third under 2021 C-USA Coach of the Year Jeff Traylor on Saturday, Sept. 3, against Houston. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Alamodome in a game that will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Tickets are on sale now by calling or texting 210-458-UTSA (8872) or visiting goUTSA.com.
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