HONOLULU, HI. -- Maryland redshirt junior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was announced as one of eight finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award on Thursday by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
This is the second year in a row Tagovailoa has been selected as a finalist for this award. The Ewa Beach, Hawaii native was a 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star as a senior in high school.
Tagovailoa completed 243 of his 354 pass attempts for 2,787 yards and 17 touchdowns during his redshirt junior season. A Second Team All-Big Ten selection, Tagovailoa ranks second in the Big Ten in completions and completion percentage (68.6), and third in passing yards. Tagovailoa has rewritten Maryland's record books, as he's now the program leader in career touchdown passes (50), career passing yards (7,658), total offense (7,843) and 300-yard passing games (12).
The other 2022 finalists are Viliami Fehoko (San Jose State), Siaki Ika (Baylor), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Sataoa Laumea (Utah), Noah Sewell (Oregon), J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State) and Tuli Tuipulotu (USC). Tagovailoa is the only quarterback on the list and one of only two Big Ten players named a finalist.
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 13. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2022 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on January 21, 2023.
Tagovailoa's older brother and Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, is a two-time recipient of this award, winning in both 2018 & 2019 while at Alabama. Last year the award went to former Ohio State Defensive Lineman Haskell Garrett.
This is the second year in a row Tagovailoa has been selected as a finalist for this award. The Ewa Beach, Hawaii native was a 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star as a senior in high school.
Tagovailoa completed 243 of his 354 pass attempts for 2,787 yards and 17 touchdowns during his redshirt junior season. A Second Team All-Big Ten selection, Tagovailoa ranks second in the Big Ten in completions and completion percentage (68.6), and third in passing yards. Tagovailoa has rewritten Maryland's record books, as he's now the program leader in career touchdown passes (50), career passing yards (7,658), total offense (7,843) and 300-yard passing games (12).
The other 2022 finalists are Viliami Fehoko (San Jose State), Siaki Ika (Baylor), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Sataoa Laumea (Utah), Noah Sewell (Oregon), J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State) and Tuli Tuipulotu (USC). Tagovailoa is the only quarterback on the list and one of only two Big Ten players named a finalist.
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 13. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2022 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on January 21, 2023.
Tagovailoa's older brother and Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, is a two-time recipient of this award, winning in both 2018 & 2019 while at Alabama. Last year the award went to former Ohio State Defensive Lineman Haskell Garrett.
