HONOLULU — The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame today announced the 2026 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.
The list includes seven members of the BYU football team — Tausili Akana (defensive end), Raider Damuni (safety), Paki Finau (offensive line), Jaron Pula (receiver), Faletau Satuala (safety), Keanu Tanuvasa (defensive tackle) and Cade Uluave (linebacker).
The Award is presented annually to the outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity both on and off the field. The 2026 watch list is composed of 69 players from 36 different FBS schools. BYU leads all college football teams with seven candidates, followed by Oregon with six and Hawaii with five.
Candidates for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award are selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2026 season progresses.
Finalists for the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 8, with the winner being announced on Dec. 15. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 16, 2027, and will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 15.
Former BYU All-American and current New Orleans Saints quarterback, Zach Kapono Wilson, received the award in 2020 after leading the Cougars to a 11-1 record and a No. 11 final ranking. The junior passed for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns, while completed 73.4 percent of his passes — good for a new BYU record, eclipsing the previous mark held by NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young.
BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame on Jan. 19, 2025, at an enshrinement ceremony held at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawai'i.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawai’i and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee is comprised of Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (chairman, former NFL player), former coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player Olin Kreutz, past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL network chief national reporter Steve Wyche and former NFL player Manti Te’o.