Colorado State University Athletics
Tuia Lands on Polynesian College Player of the Year Award Watch List
8/21/2026 3:15:00 PM | Football
Award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field
FORT COLLINS – Jayden Tuia was named to the Watch List for the 2026 Polynesian College Player of the Year Award the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced this week. 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.
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Tuia is in his first year at Colorado State after transferring from Oregon State where he played the past two seasons. While with the Beavers, Tuia made five appearances, including a start in the season finale in 2025.
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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.
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About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl
Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. There are currently 50 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
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About the adidas Polynesian Bowl: The adidas Polynesian Bowl is the premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation's top ranked high school seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, Nico Iamaleava, Dakorien Moore, and Husan Longstreet. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com
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Tuia is in his first year at Colorado State after transferring from Oregon State where he played the past two seasons. While with the Beavers, Tuia made five appearances, including a start in the season finale in 2025.
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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.
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About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl
Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. There are currently 50 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
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About the adidas Polynesian Bowl: The adidas Polynesian Bowl is the premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation's top ranked high school seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, Nico Iamaleava, Dakorien Moore, and Husan Longstreet. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com
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Players Mentioned
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