Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Announces 2017 Polynesian College Player of the Year Award Watch List
Honolulu, HI – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced the 2017 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Former University of Oregon, and current Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014; former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received the award in 2015; and University of Colorado at Boulder, and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Sefo Liufau received the award last year.
The winner of the 2017 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14, 2017. Five finalists will be unveiled on December 5. The presentation of the award will be held at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 19, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become one of the most prestigious awards in college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “More than 500 players of Polynesian ancestry are playing Division I football today.”
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2017-2018 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes Coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt, NFL Network writer and commentator Steve Wyche, and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
2017 WATCH LIST
| First Name | Last Name | School | Position | Class |
| Cleon | Aloese | Ohio University | DL | Senior |
| Sean | Auwae-McMoore | Vanderbilt | C | RS Freshman |
| Francis | Bernard | BYU | LB | Junior |
| Kekoa | Crawford | Michigan | WR | Sophomore |
| Daniel | Ekuale | Washington State | DL | Senior |
| Asotui | Eli | Hawaii | OL | Junior |
| Koa | Farmer | Penn State | LB | Junior |
| Manase | Hungalu | Oregon State | LB | Senior |
| Tuni | Kanuch | BYU | OL | Senior |
| Corbin | Kaufusi | BYU | DL | Junior |
| Meffy | Koloamatangi | Hawaii | DL | Senior |
| Jeremiah | Kolone | San Jose State | OG | Senior |
| Alani | Latu | Arizona State | LB | Senior |
| Ronley | Lakalaka | San Diego State | LB | Junior |
| Moroni | Laulu-Pututau | BYU | TE | Junior |
| Gus | Lavaka | Oregon State | OL | Sophomore |
| Nifae | Lealao | Vanderbilt | DL | Senior |
| Jimmy | Leatiota | Eastern Michigan | OL | Sophomore |
| Ray | Lima | Iowa State | DL | Sophomore |
| Toa | Lobendahn | USC | OL | Senior |
| Lowell | Lotulelei | Utah | DL | Senior |
| Kavika | Luafatasaga | Utah | LB | Senior |
| Frankie | Luvu | Washington State | LB | Senior |
| Vavae | Malepeai | USC | RB | RS Freshman |
| Brandon | Manosalvas | Buffalo | OL | Sophomore |
| Hercules | Mata’afa | Washington State | DL | Junior |
| David | Moa | Boise State | DT | Junior |
| Viane | Moala | Hawaii | DL | Sophomore |
| Filipo | Mokofisi | Utah | DL | Senior |
| Bryan | Mone | Michigan | DL | Senior |
| Andrew | Motuapuaka | Virginia Tech | LB | Senior |
| Kanawai | Noa | California | WR | Sophomore |
| Nela | Otukolo | Fresno State | LB | Junior |
| Butch | Pau'u | BYU | LB | Junior |
| Jarvis | Polu | Navy | DL | Junior |
| Justin | Polu | UNLV | OL | Sophomore |
| Olive | Sagapolu | Wisconsin | DL | Junior |
| Dru | Samia | Oklahoma | OL | Junior |
| Gabriel | Sewell | Nevada | LB | Sophomore |
| Anu | Solomon | Baylor | QB | Senior |
| Viane | Talamaivao | USC | OL | Senior |
| Josiah | Tauaefa | UTSA | LB | Sophomore |
| Sunia | Tauteoli | Utah | LB | Junior |
| Jahlani | Tavai | Hawaii | LB | Junior |
| Jordan | Ta'amu | Ole Miss | QB | Junior |
| Justus | Te'i | Utah State | LB | Sophomore |
| Ian | Togiai | Utah State | DL | Senior |
| Jacob | Tuioti-Mariner | UCLA | DL | Senior |
| Salesi | Uhatafe | Utah | OL | Senior |
| Metuisela | `Unga | Hawaii | TE | Senior |
| John | Ursua | Hawaii | WR | Sophomore |
| Patrick | Vahe | Texas | OL | Junior |
| Vita | Vea | Washington | DL | Senior |