* University of Wyoming press release

LARAMIE -- The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced its 2024 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award and two Wyoming Cowboys have been named to the list.

Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa and center Nofoafia Tulafono are both among this year's candidates for the second-straight season.

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Suiaunoa appeared in and started all 13 games for the Cowboys last season. He was named third team All-MW by Phil Steele. He ranked second on the team with 93 total tackles. He also added 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception.

 

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He ranked tenth 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 the win over Texas Tech. He added 13 tackles against another ranked opponent in Fresno State and added 11 against Boise State.

Suiaunoa recorded an interception against Colorado State. He recorded a season-high 1.5 tackles for loss in the win over Portland State.

Tulafono started all 13 games. He helped pave the way for Harrison Waylee to rush for north of 100 yards on four different occasions with the high-water mark being 191 yards against New Mexico. Tulafono also helped protect Andrew Peasley who threw for at least 140 yards nine different times with a season-high 319 coming against Hawaii.

Tulafono played a role in Wyoming ranking top-15 nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage at 66.7. The Cowboys were named to the Joe Moore Award Mid-season Watch list with the award going to the top offensive line in the nation.

"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, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee. "This award means so much to our people as it showcases the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football, and gives us an opportunity to share our culture with the world."

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list will be made as the 2024 season progresses.

 

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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 Inaugural Inductee Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Chairman), Coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, Inaugural Inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche.

Five finalists for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on December 3 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 17.

The presentation of the Award 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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