It is no secret that Polynesian players are some of the most athletic in the entire sport of college football and it seems they are now getting the proper recognition. There is a Polynesian Player of the Year and some of the best players in the country, like Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon and USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, on this year’s watch list.
The list was released Wednesday afternoon and it has some pretty talented players like BYU linebacker Harvey Langi and Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau. Solomon is certainly deserving of the award after he has thrown over 6,400 yards and 48 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Wildcats.
Smith-Schuster has been seen as one of the best receivers in the country after he went for over 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015. Langi was a big part for the Cougars last year when he recorded three sacks and two interceptions.
Here is the full list of players below.
| Name | School | Pos |
| Ricky Ali’ifua | Utah State | DL |
| Isaac Asiata | Utah | OL |
| Asotui Eli | Hawaii | C |
| Salesa Faraimo | Nevada | DL |
| Breiden Fehoko | Texas Tech | DL |
| Salamo Fiso | Arizona State | LB |
| Randall Goforth | UCLA | DB |
| Cole Hikutini | Louisville | TE |
| Nate Iese | UCLA | TE |
| Canton Kaumatule | Arkansas State | OL |
| Harvey Langi | BYU | LB |
| Inoke Langi | Texas State | TE |
| Ului Lapuaho | BYU | OL |
| Darrin Laufasa | UTEP | FB |
| Sefo Liufau | Colorado | QB |
| Toa Lobendahn | USC | OL |
| Tau Lotulelei | UNLV | LB |
| Lowell Lotulelei | Utah | DT |
| Shalom Luani | Washington State | S |
| Tueni Lupeamanu | Idaho | DL |
| Damien Mama | USC | OL |
| Brandon Manosalvas | Buffalo | OL |
| Hercules Mata’afa | Washington State | DE |
| Christian Matau | East Carolina | OL |
| Viliama Moeakiola | Arizona State | LB |
| Kai Nacua | BYU | DB |
| Olive Sagapolu | Wisconsin | DT |
| Dru Samia | Oklahoma | OL |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC | WR |
| Anu Solomon | Arizona | QB |
| Logan Taele | BYU | DL |
| Christian Tago | San Jose State | LB |
| Pita Taumoepenu | Utah | DE |
| Sae Tautu | BYU | DL |
| Jahlani Tavai | Hawaii | LB |
| Maea Teuhema | LSU | OL |
| Travis Tuiloma | BYU | DL |
| Josh Tupou | Colorado | DL |
