The Polynesian Football Player of the Year Award is given annually by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame to the most outstanding player of Polynesian descent at the high school, college, and professional levels of American football. The award was first established in 2014 and initially only recognized the best Polynesian college football player. The award was expanded in 2015 to recognize Polynesian professional football players and was expanded yet again in 2017 to recognize Polynesian high school football players.
Recipients Professional + List of Polynesian pro football Player of the Year winners Year Player Position Team Ref 2015 Mike Iupati Guard Arizona Cardinals 2016 Marcus Mariota Quarterback Tennessee Titans 2017 JuJu Smith-Schuster Wide receiver Pittsburgh Steelers 2018 JuJu Smith-Schuster (2) Wide receiver Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 Ronnie Stanley Offensive tackle Baltimore Ravens 2020 DeForest Buckner Defensive tackle Indianapolis Colts 2021 No award given 2022 Tua Tagovailoa (offense) Quarterback Miami Dolphins Talanoa Hufanga (defense) Safety San Francisco 49ers 2023 Tua Tagovailoa (2) Quarterback Miami Dolphins 2024 Penei Sewell Offensive tackle Detroit Lions 2025 Puka Nacua Wide receiver Los Angeles Rams
College
+ List of Polynesian College Football Player of the Year winners Year Player Position School Ref 2014 Marcus Mariota Quarterback Oregon 2015 Ronnie Stanley Offensive tackle Notre Dame 2016 Sefo Liufau Quarterback Colorado 2017 Hercules Mata'afa Defensive tackle Washington State 2018 Tua Tagovailoa Quarterback Alabama 2019 Penei Sewell Offensive tackle Oregon Tua Tagovailoa (2)Quarterback Alabama 2020 Talanoa Hufanga Safety USC Zach WilsonQuarterbackBYU2021Haskell GarrettDefensive tackleOhio State2022Tuli Tuipulotu Defensive end USC2023Laiatu Latu (defense) Defensive endUCLATaulia Tagovailoa (offense)QuarterbackMaryland2024Tetairoa McMillanWide receiverArizona 2025 Spencer Fano Offensive tackle UtahMakai LemonWide receiver USC
High school
+ List of Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year winners Year Player Position School Ref 2017 Talanoa Hufanga Safety Crescent Valley (Oregon) 2018 Puka Nacua Wide receiver Orem (Utah) Taulia TagovailoaQuarterbackThompson (Alabama) 2019 DJ Uiagalelei St. John Bosco (California) 2020 JT Tuimoloau Defensive end Eastside Catholic (Washington) 2021 Tetairoa McMillan Wide receiver Servite (California) 2022 Nico Iamaleava Quarterback Warren (California) 2023Dylan RaiolaBuford (Georgia)Isaac WilsonCorner Canyon (Utah)2024Iose EpenesaDefensive endEdwardsville (Illinois)Jaron-Keawe SagapoluteleQuarterbackJames Campbell (Hawaii)2025Helaman CasugaCorner Canyon (Utah)@polynesianbowl and @polynesianfbhof. “Salute to Helaman Casuga the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame High School Player of the Year! 🤙.” Instagram, January 18, 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTpGIT3E6-f/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==.
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