HONOLULU — Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei has been selected as one of six finalists for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday morning.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Uiagalelei is a finalist along with Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano, Arizona State offensive lineman Leif Fautanu, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Ohio State defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau.
Uiagalelei becomes the sixth finalist in program history, and first since Noah Sewell earned the honor in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022. Oregon has had two winners of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, with Marcus Mariota winning the inaugural honor in 2014 and Penei Sewell winning in 2019. DeForest Buckner was also a finalist in 2015.
“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, we extend our congratulations to the finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “These young men have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, showcasing the profound influence Polynesian student-athletes continue to have in college football today.”
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 19, 2024. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 18, 2025) and they will be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 17, 2025).
Uiagalelei has been one of the nation’s premier pass rushers as a true sophomore, leading the Big Ten with a career-high 10.5 sacks. He is also tied for fifth in the Big Ten with a team- and career-high 12.5 tackles for loss, and he has also added 37 total tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and a blocked kick.
Uiagalelei was an all-Big Ten first-team selection by the league’s media, and was voted to the second team by the conference’s coaches and the Associated Press. He has recorded a sack in eight of his last 10 games, and his 10.5 sacks are just 2.5 shy of the UO single-season record.
The No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, Uiagalelei and the undefeated Ducks (13-0) will have a bye in the first round before playing either No. 8 Ohio State or No. 9 Tennessee in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
