2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists Announced

Honolulu, HI (December 9, 2025) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced ten 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 ten Finalists include WR JACOB DE JESUS (University of California, Berkeley), OL SPENCER FANO (University of Utah), QB NOAH FIFITA (University of Arizona), OL OLAIVAVEGA IOANE (Pennsylvania State University), OL IAPANI LALOULU (University of Oregon), WR MAKAI LEMON (University of Southern California), OL CALEB LOMU (University of Utah), QB JAYDEN MAIAVA (University of Southern California), OL FRANCIS MAUIGOA (University of Miami), LB CADE ULUAVE (University of California, Berkeley).

The Finalists were selected from a Watch List of nearly 100 players by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, comprised of Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Chairman, former NFL player and Inaugural Inductee), 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, sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche, and former NFL Player and Class of 2023 Inductee Manti Te`o.

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, former University of Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa in 2023; former University of Ariona, Carolina Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan in 2024.

"On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, we proudly congratulate this year’s finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "Each of these young men have shown outstanding ability and commitment, exemplifying the impact Polynesian student-athletes continue to make in college football.”

The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 16, 2025. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2026 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner(January 17, 2026) and they will be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 16, 2026).

2025 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

JACOB DE JESUS (University of California, Berkeley)

Wide Receiver…Senior…Hawaiian Ancestry…FirstTeamAll-ACC all-purpose and specialist selection … Second Team All-ACC wide receiver… Born in Manteca, CA.

SPENCER FANO (University of Utah)

Offensive Line…Junior…Samoan Ancestry…First Team All-Big-12C onference Selection … Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year … has started all 12 games for Utah in 2025 … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Spanish Fork, UT.

NOAH FIFITA (University of Arizona)

Quarterback…Junior…Tongan Ancestry…First Team All-Big 12 Conference Selection … Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honorable mention … has started all 12 games for Arizona in 2025 … 2022 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Huntington Beach, CA.

OLAIVAVEGA IOANE (Pennsylvania State University)

Offensive Line…Junior…Samoan Ancestry…First Team All-Big-10 Conference Selection … has started all 12 games for Penn State in 2025 … 2022 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Graham, WA.

IAPANI LALOULU (University of Oregon)

Offensive Line…Junior…Samoan & Tongan Ancestry…Second Team All-Big-10 Conference Selection … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Honolulu, HI.

MAKAI LEMON (University of Southern California)

Wide Receiver…Junior…HawaiianAncestry…FirstTeamAll-Big-10ConferenceSelection … Biletnikoff Award Finalist…has started all 12 games for USC in 2025 … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Los Alamitos, CA.

CALEB LOMU (University of Utah)

OffensiveLine…Sophomore…TonganAncestry…FirstTeamAll-Big-12ConferenceSelection… has started all 12 games for Utah in 2025 … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Gilbert, AZ.

JAYDEN MAIAVA (University of Southern California)

Quarterback…Junior…Samoan Ancestry…Third Team All-Big-10 Conference Selection… has started all 12 games for USC in 2025… 2022 Polynesian Bowl All-Star …Palolo, HI.

FRANCIS MAUIGOA (University of Miami)

Offensive Line…Sophomore…Samoan Ancestry…First Team All-ACC Conference Selection … Jacobs Blocking Trophy Winner … has started all 12 games for Miami in 2025 … 2023 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Ili’ili, American Samoa.

CADE ULUAVE (University of California, Berkeley)

Linebacker…Junior…Tongan Ancestry…First Team All-ACC Conference Selection … has started 11 games for California in 2025 … Born in South Jordan, UT.

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 51 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.

About the Polynesian Bowl: The Polynesian Bowl is the 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, Nico Iamaleava, Dakorien Moore and Husan Longstreet. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com.