Tag: Polynesian Player of the Year

Nico Iamaleava named finalist for Polynesian Player of the Year

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava recognized by Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was named a finalist for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, announced by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

He is one of the eight finalists. Finalists were chosen from a watch list of nearly 100 players for the award. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry, and who epitomizes great ability and integrity.

During his first season as the Vols’ starting quarterback, Iamaleava has totaled 2,512 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. He has also recorded more than 300 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Iamaleava was named SEC Freshman of the Week four times, setting a Tennessee record.

Iamaleava led Tennessee to its first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. The Vols will play Ohio State in a first-round game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Dec. 21. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. EST (ABC).

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Michigan State football DT Jalen Sami named to Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list

Jalen Sami named to Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list

In case you didn’t know, Michigan State football has a massive defensive tackle coming in this year from Colorado in Jalen Sami. The run-blocking specialist will join the team this fall and will be a huge piece on the defensive line, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 330 pounds.

On Thursday, it was announced that Sami has been named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list, a prestigious award given to the best Polynesian player in college football.

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Five Ducks named to the Polynesian player of the year award watch list

Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell headlines a group of five Ducks to be named to the Polynesian Player of the Year award watch list.

Oregon has had a long history of having great Polynesian players in the football program and that hasn’t changed.

Five current football players have been named to the watch list for the 2022 Polynesian Player of the Year award. Marcus Mariota took home the first award in 2014 and Penei Sewell also won it in 2019.

Defensive tackle Popo Aumavae, offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, linebackers Noah Sewell and Mase Funa as well as defensive lineman Taki Taimani have all been named to the watch list.

Sewell is definitely one of the favorites to win the award if he has the kind of year the Ducks are expecting the junior to have. If Sewell is to win the award, it would mark the first time in the award’s short history that players of the same family have been recipients.

The winner will be announced after the regular season is finished in December.

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Four Ducks are on the Polynesian Player of the Year watch list

Popo Aumavae, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Mase Funa, and Noah Sewell are all on the watch list for the 2021 Polynesian Player of the Year.

Marcus Mariota and Penei Sewell may have to move over.

Four Oregon football players, Popo Aumavae, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Mase Funa, and Noah Sewell have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Thursday.

The 2021 list is composed of 63 players from 31 different FBS schools. Oregon is one of six schools with at least four players on the watch list.

Oregon has a rich history with the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. Mariota, who also won the Heisman Trophy, was the inaugural recipient in 2014. Offensive lineman Penei Sewell took home the honor in 2019. Oregon is the only program to have had multiple players win the award as the Ducks are looking to make it three.

Five finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 30 with the winner being announced Dec. 14. The presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner Jan. 21, 2022 and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl the very next day.

Among the four Ducks named, it’s likely Noah Sewell has the best chance to claim the award. The super freshman linebacker was the 2020 Coaches Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and was one of two true freshmen and the only among the Power 5 conferences to lead his team in tackles (45) in 2020.

The other three Ducks, Aumavae, Aumavae-Laulu, and Funa will all play major roles in defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s defense and are all expected to have great seasons.