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HONOLULU — UTSA junior Josiah Tauaefa has been named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award watch list for the second straight season, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity. This year's watch list is composed of 50 players from 34 different Football Bowl Subdivision schools.

Tauaefa, a 6-2, 245-pound linebacker, is a preseason All-Conference USA selection and a 2016 FWAA Freshman All-American. Last season, the Lake Dallas High product registered 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, two pass breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown despite missing most of four contests. The Corinth, Texas, native posted a school-record 115 tackles, nine TFLs, six sacks, seven quarterback hurries and an interception en route to C-USA Freshman of the Year and first-team all-league honors in 2016.

"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become one of the most prestigious awards in college football," Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee, said. "This award allows us to showcase the tremendous impact of our Polynesian student-athletes."

Five finalists for this year's Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 5 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 14. The presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner, and they will be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

The watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2018 season progresses. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL Network writer and commentator Steve Wyche and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.

Former Oregon and current Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014. Other winners include former Notre Dame and current Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (2015), former Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau (2016) and former Washington State and current Minnesota Vikings defensive end Hercules Mata`afa (2017).

2018 POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WATCH LIST

Presented by the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel

School, Name Position Class

Utah, Bradlee Anae, DL, Junior

Iowa, AJ Epenesa, DL, Sophomore

Utah, Lo Falemaka, OL, Senior

Stanford, Brandon Fanaika, OL, Senior

Oregon, Austin Faoliu, DL, Sophomore

Penn State, Koa Farmer, LB, Senior

LSU, Breiden Fehoko, DE, Junior

Utah, Leki Fotu, DL, Junior

Notre Dame, Alohi Gilman, DB, Junior

USC, Jordan Iosefa, LB, Junior

BYU, Corbin Kaufusi, DL, Senior

San Diego State, Ronley Lakalaka, LB, Senior

BYU, Moroni Laulu-Pututau, TE, Senior

Oregon State, Gus Lavaka, OL, Junior

Eastern Michigan, Jimmy Leatiota, OL, Junior

Iowa State, Ray Lima, DL, Junior

USC, Toa Lobendahn, OL, Senior

Boise State, Sonatane Lui, DL, Junior

Boise State, Tyson Maeva, LB, Junior

USC, Vavae Malepeai, RB, Sophomore

Hawaii, Solomon Matautia, LB, Junior

Washington State, Frederick Mauigoa, OL, Junior

Boise State, David Moa, DT, Junior

Michigan, Bryan Mone, DL, Senior

Maryland, Brendan Moore, OL, Senior

North Texas, Sosaia Mose, C, Junior

Fresno State, Netane Muti, OL, Sophomore

Boise State, Kekoa Nawahine, DB, Junior

California, Kanawai Noa, WR, Junior

BYU, Butch Pau'u, LB, Senior

USC, Brandon Pili, DL, Sophomore

Navy, Jarvis Polu, DL, Senior

UNLV, Justin Polu, OL, Junior

Washington, Benning Potoa'e, DL, Junior

Wisconsin, Olive Sagapolu, DL, Senior

Oklahoma, Dru Samia, OL, Senior

Nevada, Gabriel Sewell, LB, Junior

Ole Miss, Jordan Ta'amu, QB, Senior

UCLA, Boss Tagaloa, OL, Junior

Alabama, Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Sophomore

BYU, Sione Takitaki, LB, Senior

Utah State, Suli Tamaivena, LB, Senior

UTSA, Josiah Tauaefa , LB, Junior

Hawaii, Jahlani Tavai, LB, Senior

Eastern Washington, Jay-Tee Tiuli, DL, Senior

Oregon State, Noah Togiai, TE, Junior

Utah State, Christopher Unga, LB, Junior

Hawaii, John Ursua, WR, Junior

Texas, Patrick Vahe, OL, Senior

Oregon State, Kalani Vakameilalo, DL, Senior

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 (O`ahu) and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. Other board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe. www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org.

About the Polynesian Bowl:

"Where the world's top high school football players gather to celebrate culture and play the game they love." Our outstanding partners… BSN Sports, Friends of Hawai`i Charities, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai`i Building & Construction Trades Council, Hawai`i News Now, Hawai`i Tourism Authority, Motiv8 Foundation, NIKE, Sheraton Princess Ka`iulani Hotel and Riddell. www.PolynesianBowl.com.

-UTSA-