* Press release from the University of Wyoming
LARAMIE – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced its list of nominees for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award and two Wyoming Cowboys have been named to the list.
Linebackers Shae Suiaunoa and center Nofoafia Tulafono are both among this year’s candidates for the second time in a row.
Suiaunoa started all 13 games for the Cowboys last season and was named third team All-MW by Phil Steele. He was second on the team with 93 total tackles. He also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception.
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He ranked 10th in the MW with 7.2 tackles per game. He had 10 or more tackles in three games last season. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles for the Cowboys in a win over Texas Tech. He added 13 tackles against another top-ranked opponent, Fresno State, and added 11 against Boise State.
Suiaunoa recorded an interception against Colorado State and recorded a season-high 1.5 tackles in the win over Portland State.
Tulafono started all 13 games and paved the way for Harrison Waylee rushed for 100 yards four times, with the highest mark being 191 yards against New Mexico. Tulafono also helped Andrew Peasley who threw for at least 140 yards nine times, including his season-best 319 yards against Hawaii.
Tulafono helped Wyoming rank in the top 15 nationally in fourth down conversion rate at 66.7%. The Cowboys were named to the Joe Moore Award Mid-Season Watch List, with the award going to the best offensive line in the country.
“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award has become one of the most prestigious awards in all of college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, chairman, co-founder and inductee of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. “This award means so much to our people as it showcases the tremendous impact our Polynesian student-athletes have on the game of football and gives us the opportunity to share our culture with the world.”
Candidates for the watch list were selected based on their past performance and future potential, and the list will be expanded throughout the 2024 season.
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The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes former NFL player and inductee Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson (Chairman), coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and inductee Olin Kreutz, inductee and former NFLPA President Kevin Mawae, former NFL player and 2015 inductee Ray Schoenke, sportscaster Neil Everett and NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche.
The five finalists for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award will be announced on December 3rd and the winner will be announced on December 17th.
The award will be presented during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Induction Dinner (January 18, 2025) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and members will also be recognized at the Polynesian Bowl (January 17, 2025).
LOOK: Pokes’ uniforms through the years
