Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List

Honolulu, HI (August 20, 2026) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced today the Watch List for the 2026 Polynesian College Player of the Year Award. Presented annually, the award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field. This year’s list features 68 players from 35 different NCAA Division I programs.

“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become a defining measure of excellence within the Polynesian football community," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. “This is true because it aligns with our cultural beliefs of respect, humility, work ethic and pride that represents and defines us.”

The 2026 Watch List was compiled based on past performance and potential for the upcoming season. Additional players will be added to the Watch List as the year unfolds. The finalists and winner will be selected 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, sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche, and former NFL Player and Class of 2023 Inductee Manti Te`o.

Finalists for the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on December 8th, 2026 and the winner will be announced on December 15th, 2026. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 16th, 2027), and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 15th, 2027).

Since its inception in 2014, the Award has honored an elite group of players who have made a lasting impact on the game. Past recipients include:

Marcus Mariota (2014) — University of Oregon / Washington Commanders

Ronnie Stanley (2015) — University of Notre Dame / Baltimore Ravens

Sefo Liufau (2016) — University of Colorado

Hercules Mata'afa (2017) — Washington State University

Tua Tagovailoa (2018 & 2019, two-time honoree) — University of Alabama / Atlanta Falcons

Penei Sewell (2019) — University of Oregon / Detroit Lions

Talanoa Hufanga (2020) — University of Southern California / Denver Broncos

Zach Kapono Wilson (2020) — BYU / New Orleans Saints

Haskell Garrett (2021) — Ohio State

Tuli Tuipulotu (2022) — USC / Los Angeles Chargers

Laiatu Latu (2023) — UCLA / Indianapolis Colts

Taulia Tagovailoa (2023) — University of Maryland

Tetairoa McMillan (2024) — University of Arizona / Carolina Panthers

Mekai Lemon (2025, co-recipient) — USC / Philadelphia Eagles

Spencer Fano (2025, co-recipient) — Utah / Cleveland Browns

2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List

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

About the adidas Polynesian Bowl: The adidas 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.