HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame revealed on Thursday that Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, linebacker Keenan Pili and defensive lineman Jaxson Moi were selected to the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. This year’s list is composed of 96 players ranging from 37 different FBS schools.
Iamaleava is the only SEC quarterback to be named to the prestigious list and is one of only four quarterbacks included overall. The Long Beach, California, native enters his second season with the program after serving as the backup quarterback and playing in five games during his true freshman season in 2023. He shined against No. 17 Iowa in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, accounting for four touchdowns in his first career start to lead the Vols to a 35-0 victory.
Pili lands himself on the watch list for the second consecutive season. The exceptional linebacker is poised for a standout season as a leader on the Tennessee defense, returning for his seventh collegiate season in 2024. Throughout his entire collegiate career, he has played in 37 games with 25 starts and tallied 194 total tackles with 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four pass breakups.
Moi, a junior, is preparing for a significant role on the Vols’ defensive unit. The Oceanside, California, product played two years at Stanford before arriving on Rocky Top this past spring. At Stanford, he played in 24 games while making eight starts at defensive tackle and registered 37 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and three batted passes.
Watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will choose the finalists and winner.
The five finalists for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 3, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 17. The award presentation will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (Jan. 18, 2025) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 17, 2025).
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