Heisman Trophy finalist Marcus Mariota has been named the inaugural recipient of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.

The announcement was made Tuesday in Honolulu by Polynesian College Football Hall of Fame co-founders Jesse Sapolu and Ma'a Tanuvasa.

Mariota is a 6-foot 5, 220-pound quarterback for the University of Oregon Ducks. He was born in Honolulu and is of Samoan descent.

Mariota is considered the clear front-runner to win the 80th Heisman on Saturday night in New York. He would become the first Oregon player to earn college football's most famous player of the year trophy.

"Marcus has orchestrated one of the most prolific offenses in college football this season," Sapolu said in a statement. "He truly represents the very best of our Polynesian culture."