Polynesian Player of the Year watch list announced

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced the 2021 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award on Thursday.

Per the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame website, the award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.

Previous winners of the award include Marcus Mariota, Penei Sewell and Tua Tagovailoa. Last season, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson and USC safety Talanoa Hufanga won the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.

The Watch List is composed of 63 players from 31 different FBS schools.

Linebacker Feleti Afemui – Vanderbilt
Afemui, a fifth-year senior, is a two-time captain for the Commodores. He didn’t see action in 2020 but returns to the Vanderbilt two-deep with 20 career games played.

Linebacker Chaz Ah You – BYU
Ah You returns to the BYU lineup after missing the majority of 2020 with injury. In two disjointed seasons before that, Ah You recorded 40 total tackles, one sack and an interception. He projects to start in 2021.

Offensive lineman Ulumoo Ale – Washington
Ale has played in every game for the Huskies the past two seasons, including starting every single game in 2020 at left guard. Listed at 6-foot-6, 355 pounds, Ale will be an anchor for the Washington offensive line this season.

Offensive lineman Demytrick Ali’ifua – Utah State
Ali’ifua plays all over the interior of the Aggies offensive line between guard and center. Returning for his sixth season of college football, he looks to build upon a 2020 season that saw him earn honorable mention all-Mountain West honors.

Offensive lineman Falepule Alo – Utah State
Alo started four games at center last season for the Aggies as a true freshman. He played in 185 snaps and finished the season with 9.5 knockdowns. Entering his sophomore year, Alo will look to start more consistently.

Offensive lineman Junior Angilau – Texas
Angilau is a fourth-year offensive lineman who has played and started in 22 games for the Longhorns. Last season Angilau started all season at left guard after spending 2019 at right guard, he returns to right guard in 2021 and projects to lock down the spot.

Defensive lineman Popo Aumavae – Oregon
A fifth-year tackle for the Ducks, Aumavae played in Oregon’s final five games of the 2020 season and finished with ten tackles. As a sophomore, Aumavae played 202 snaps and finished third on the team in sacks with 3.5.

Offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu – Oregon
Aumavae-Laulu started six games at right tackle for the Ducks last season. He was a Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention. In his career, he’s played all over the offensive line and projects to start this season.

Offensive lineman Henry Bainivalu – Washington
Bainivalu projects to start at right guard once again for the Huskies. Bainivalu earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors last season at the position.

QB Chevan Cordeiro – Hawai’i
Cordeiro started nine games for Hawai’i last season and was voted as one of four captains . He threw for 2,083 yards and 14 touchdowns last season with 483 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Wide receiver Kekoa Crawford – California
Crawford returns for his sixth season after 19 receptions and 232 yards receiving last season in four games. He will be a key contributor for Cal’s offense.

Offensive lineman Daniel Faalele – Minnesota
Faalele is one of the largest players in college football. He returns in 2021 after not pariticapting in the 2020 college football season. One of the largest players in the country, Faalel will lock down the right side of the line as a senior this season.

Defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea – BYU
Faueatea is entering his fifth year at BYU along the defensive line. Fauatea played just four games last season before a season-ending injury.

Offensive lineman Leif Fautanu – UNLV
Fautanu is a returning starter for UNLV at center. He started four games last season after redshirting in the 2019 season.

Defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko – San Jose State
Fehoko is a returning starter at defensive end in his fourth year with the program. In his career, Fehoko has ten games with a tackle for loss. He had 36 total tackles last season.

Offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga – Michigan
Filiaga is a three-year letterman at Michigan. Last season, Filiaga started all six games at left guard. The Aledo product looks to start on the Wolverines offensive line in 2021.

Linebacker Mase Funa – Oregon
Funa enters his third season with the Ducks. In 2020, Funa started six games, making 31 total tackles. He looks to start at outside linebacker in 2021 alongside one of the best defenses in the Pac-12 Conference.

Defensive lineman Haskell Garrett – Ohio State

Garrett is entering his fifth year with the Buckeyes in 2021. Last season, Garrett earned first-team All-America honors by CBS Sports and is on the 2021 preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. In 2020 he had 20 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in just seven games at defensive tackle. After being a reserve for much of his career, Garrett looks to build upon a strong 2020 and emerge as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the country.
Offensive lineman Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzales – Boise State

Holomalia-Gonzales started six games at center for the Broncos in 2020. One of five Broncos on the list, he returns as the starting center and will look to earn conference honors this season
Running back George Holani – Boise State
Holani is entering just the third year of his Broncos career, looking to return to his freshman season form. In 2019, Holani rushed for 1014 yards and seven touchdowns, adding another 206 yards and three touchdowns through the air. 2020 was a bit of a down year, as he had just 160 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in three appearances. He’s already been named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, which bodes well for what experts think Holani can accomplish in 2021.

Defensive tackle Siaki Ika – Baylor
Ika transferred in from LSU to reunite with Dave Aranda. He projects to be Baylor’s starting nose tackle. In two seasons at LSU Ika had 23 total tackles.

Linebacker Muelu Iosefa – California
Iosefa was one of a handful of true freshman who played for Cal last season. In four games, Iosefa had 11 tackles as well as one fumble recovery, one pass breakup and one pass defended.

Defensive back Kekaula Kaniho – Boise State
Kaniho enters his fifth season with the Broncos. In his career he has earned first and second team All-Mountain West honors

Running back Lopini Katoa – BYU
Katoa enters his fifth season with the Cougars. Last season, Katoa accounted for 737 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns. He looks to be the lead back for BYU this season.

Offensive lineman Donovan Laie – Arizona
Laie has started 29 games in his career for the Wildcats. Entering his fourth season, he currently has a 28-game starting streak that he looks to extend through the 2021 season.

Offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea – Utah
Laumea started all five games last season for the Utes. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, he received All-Pac-12 second team honors. Entering his sophomore year, Laumea will look to build open a breakout 2020 season.

Defensive lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa – Washington
After playing in 12 games in 2019, Letuligasenoa played in just two games last season. He’ll look to bounce back in what could technically still be considered his sophomore year in 2021.

Offensive lineman Kohl Levao – Hawai’i
Levao has struggled with injuries since starting 14 games in 2018. Over the last two seasons, he’s only played in five games. He looks to get back to full health in 2021 and return to the form that saw him land on the Remington Trophy Watch list prior to the 2019 season.

Defensive lineman Jermayne Lole – Arizona State
Lole was rated as PFF’s second best interior defender heading into the 2021 season. In his career, Lole has posted 123 tackles and 10 sacks.

Linebacker Tyson Maeva – Frenso State
Maeva transferred to Fresno State prior to the 2021 season after three years at Boise State and one season at FIU. In his career, has 185 total tackles and six sacks. He projects to be an integral part of Fresno State’s linebacker room this season.

Offensive lineman Ahofitu Maka – UTSA
Maka was a second-team All-Conference USA selection last season. He committed to UTSA prior to the 2019 season after two seasons at Independence Community College.

Linebacker Alii Matau – San Jose State
Entering his fifth season with the Spartans, Matau has appeared in 18 games and made 11 starts in his career. Last season he started six of the Spartans’ seven games and was credited with 29 total tackles

Linebacker Kana’i Mauga – USC
Mauga projects to start at inside linebacker for the Trojans once again this season. In his career he has 116 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss. He has appeared in 31 games, with 12 starts, in his career.

Offensive lineman Simi Moala – Utah
The retuning left tackle starter will look to put together a strong 2021 season. Moalo has played both left and right tackle in his career but appears to have found a home on the left side of the line entering his fourth season.

Defensive lineman Viane Moala – Utah
Moala started three of four games for the Utes last season. Listed at 6-foot-6, and over 300 pounds, he is a massive presence on the defensive line and will be a key contributor in 2021.

Offensive lineman Manase Mose – North Texas
Mose is entering his fifth season at North Texas. In 2020, he started all season at center and was an honorable mention All-Conference USA selection.

Linebacker Darius Muasau – Hawai’i
Muasau was named to the All-Mountain West first team as a sophomore in 2020. He led the Mountain West in tackles with 104 overall and led Hawai’i in tackles for loss as well with 9.5.

Wide reciever Puka Nacua – BYU
The transfer from Washington could be one of the best players for BYU this season. In two seasons with the Huskies, Nacua had 319 total receiving yards and three touchdowns on 16 receptions. A former four-star recruit, Nacua won the 2018 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in high school and returns to his home state looking to play a big role for the Cougars.

Linebacker Ezekiel Noa – Boise State
Noa was an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention last season after posting 36 tackles and four tackles for loss as a redshirt junior in 2020. In his career, Noa has 104 total tackles.

Defensive lineman Sio Nofoagatoto’a – Indiana
As a sophomore Nofoagatoto’a appeared in eight games, making two starts. He finished with posted 12 tackles, one for loss, with one pass breakup. He looks to take a bigger role in 2021.

Wide receiver Jonah Panoke – Hawai’i
Panoke appeared in all nine games for Hawai’i last season, recording 11 catches for 95 yards. Entering his third season in 2021, he looks to play a much bigger role in Hawai’i’s offensive efforts.

Wide receiver Neil Pau’u – BYU
Pau’u enters his sixth season at BYU with 958 career yards to his name. After a breakout campaign in 202 that saw him post over 600 yards, Pau’u enters 2021 as BYU’s presumptive top receiver.

Linebacker Keenan Pili – BYU
Pili has 97 tackles over the last two seasons. Entering 2021, he projects to start for the Cougars once again as a key defensive playmaker

Defensive back Isaiah Pola-Mao – USC
Pola-Mao projects to be a key playmaker for the Trojans in 2021. Entering his senior year, he has 121 tackles, including 8 tackles for loss in his career.

Defensive lineman Tennesee Pututau – Utah
Pututau started just two games last season but posted 10 total tackles and three tackles for loss in limited action. He looks to take on a bigger role in 2021.

Tight end Isaac Rex – BYU
Rex broke out last season with 429 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. A big target in BYU’s offense, Rex will look to build open last year’s performance even with the departure of quarterback Zach Wilson.

Linebacker Merlin Robertson – Arizona State
Robertson’s numbers took a dip in 2020 due to the shortened season but he is still one of the most productive linebackers in the Pac-12. Last season,

Linebacker Noah Sewell – Oregon
The second year linebacker received Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors from Pac-12 coaches. Sewell led the Ducks in tackles in 2020 with 45. He will start alongside Justin Flowe in the middle for the Oregon. Sewell looks to break out as one of the best linebackers in the nation in 2021.

Linebacker Nephi Sewell – Utah
Sewell was a Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention last season after finishing second on the team in tackles with 40. He has a nose for the ball, coming down with two fumble recoveries with one for a touchdown, and a team-high tying two interceptions, last season.

Wide receiver Khalil Shakir – Boise State
Shakir started all seven games for the Bronoc last season. He finished 719 recieiving yards and six touchdowns on 52 receptions. He looks to build upon strong sophomore and junior performances in 2021.

Mika Tafua DL Utah
Fourth year defensive lineman Tafua was a Pac-12 All-Conference second-team selection last season. In his career, he has posted 84 tackles and 19 tackles for loss.

Taulia Tagovailoa QB Maryland
The younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua, who won Polynesian Player of the Year himself in college, the younger Tagovailoa has come into his own entering 2021. After transferring to Maryland from Alabama prior to the 2020 season, Tagovailoa passed for 1,011 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in four games. As he gets more comfortable in the Terrapins offense in 2021, he could emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten

Defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa – Notre Dame
Tagovailoa-Amosa is entering his fifth season at Notre Dame. As a senior in 2020, finsihed with 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He looks to play a big role for the Fighting Irish up front under new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman.

Defensive lineman Sam Taimani – Washington
Taimani started all four games for Washington last season along the defensive line. He finished with 10 tackles, good for 2.5 tackles per game. Even though he enters his fourth season, Taimani is still technically a sophomore due to a redshirt year and a waiver for 2020.

Running back Toa Taua – Nevada
One of just four running backs on this list, Taua ofsten slips under the radar playing alongside 2022 NFL draft prospects Carson Strong and wide receiver Romeo Doubs. In his career, Taua has 2354 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Last season, he averaged 84.4 rushing yards per game and could have an even bigger 2021 season.

Linebacker Henry To’o To’o – Alabama
The transfer from Tennessee has made waves in fall camp with the Rolling Tide. He will be a leader for Alabama’s defense in 2021 and will be a key factor in the Tide’s hunt for back-to-back national championships. He should be the defensive favorite for the Polynesian Player of the Year award

Lawrance Toafili RB Florida State
As a true freshman in 2020, Toafili was a bright spot for a FLorida State team that desperately needed it. He appeared in eight games with two starts and accumulated 476 all-purpose yards. He looks to take a step contributing through the air and on the ground in 2021.

Defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu – USC
Tuipulotu had an impressive freshman season for the Trojans. In just six games, the freshman had 22 tackles, including 2.5 for losses and two sacks. He projects to be one of the best young defensive linemen in the country in 2021.

Linebacker Tama Tuitele – Navy
Tuitele started six of eight games for Navy last season. He finished the year fourth on the team in tackles with 52 as a sophomore. He enters 2021 in a battle for the starting WILL linebacker spot.

Linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
Tupuola-Fetui was named first-team All-Pac-12 for his efforts last season. He finished as the national leader in sacks per game and forced fumbles per game. All in all he finished with seven sacks and three forced fumbles. He is in line to be one of the top defensive players in the Pac-12 in 2021.

Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei – Clemson
The second-year quarterback from St. John Bosco will fill the shoes of Trevor Lawrence. Uiagelelei projects to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football and looks to lead Clemson back to the college football playoff. He could very well be the favorite to win Polynesian Player of the Year.

Alama Uluave OL San Diego State
The presumptive starting center for the Aztecs, Uluave enters 2021 as a  preseason second-team all-Mountain West selection by Pro football Focus. Last season he played 553 of the team’s 560 offensive snaps at center and had just one penalty. He will be the catalyst for the Aztec offensive line in 202

Offensive linema Solo Vaipulu – Hawai’i
Appearing for the second time in a row on the Polynesian Player of the Year watch list, Vaipulu started every single game for Hawai’i last season. In the past three seasons, he’s missed just one start in 33 games. Entering his fourth-season he’ll be a veteran presence along the line and could finish as one of the top offensive linemen in the Mountain West Conference.