Bogar Added to Polynesian College POY Award Watch List

LARAMIE -- Wyoming tight ends are likely sick and tired of dealing with Esaia Bogar.

The 6-foot-2, 255-pound edge rusher has been making lightwork of some much bigger men during fall camp. Jake Wilson has been on the receiving end of one of those clinics. So have Kyle Frendt, Landon Pace and the team's best blocker at the position, Tyler Siddons.

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Offensive tackles aren't exactly enjoying the Bogar experience, either.

"He's a grown-ass man in there," Wyoming defensive ends coach Brian Hendricks said in early August. "We have a really great group of mature men in that room."

The Rancho Cucamongo, Calif., product Thursday was named to the watch list for the Polynesian College Player of the Year Award. Presented annually, the award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field. This year's list features 69 players from 36 different NCAA Division I programs.

Bogar, who suffered a dislocated right wrist last offseason and another broken bone in that same hand in the fall, appeared in 10 games with one start for the Cowboys. He finished the season with 13 total tackles, seven of which were solo stops. He also added 1.5 tackles for loss along with a sack.

The transfer from Riverside City College recorded a career-high four tackles in his Cowboy debut against Northern Iowa. He recorded his first career sack against Fresno State. He added two tackles and half-a-tackle-for-loss against Colorado State.

Bogar, according to Jay Sawvel, could have two seasons of eligibility remaining because of the recent "5-in-5 rule" implementation in the NCAA.

"He's strung together 13 straight practices," Wyoming's third-year head coach added in April. "I mean, he's talented, and he's a physical guy. He's a good pass rusher. He's a guy that we need to count on. He needs to play well for us."

The 2026 Watch List was compiled based on past performance and potential for the upcoming season. Additional players will be added to the Watch List as the year unfolds. The finalists and winner will be selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, comprised of Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Chairman, former NFL player and Inaugural Inductee), Coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, Inaugural Inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche, and former NFL Player and Class of 2023 Inductee Manti Te`o.

"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become a defining measure of excellence within the Polynesian football community," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. "This is true because it aligns with our cultural beliefs of respect, humility, work ethic and pride that represents and defines us."

Finalists for the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 8th, 2026 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 15th, 2026. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (Jan. 16th, 2027), and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 15th, 2027).

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