TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A pair of local college football players have been named to the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced the watch list on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The list features 81 players from 40 different NCAA Division I programs.
The list features Kansas offensive lineman Tavake Tuikolovatu and K-State defensive tackle Damian Ilalio.
The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Preseason Watch List features Kansas offensive lineman Tavake Tuikolovatu and K-State defensive tackle Damian Ilalio.(Kansas Athletics/K-State Athletics)
“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become one of the most prestigious honors in college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. “It is a source of great pride for our community, recognizing the outstanding achievements of Polynesian student-athletes and giving us a powerful platform to share our culture with the world.”
Tuikolovatu, a transfer from UCLA, played in all 12 games and made one start against Minnesota in 2024. His appearances were mostly as a reserve offensive lineman. Tuikolovatu stands 6 feet 6 inches, weighs 325 pounds, and is from Wailuku, Hawaii.
Ilalio is a featured starter for the Wildcats. He started all 13 games in 2024 and finished with 34 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks over 461 defensive snaps. Ilalio had the most tackles by a Wildcat interior defensive tackle since Topeka native Will Geary had 44 in 2017, while it was the most TFLs and sacks by a defensive tackle since Eli Huggins had 6.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks in 2021.
Finalists for the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 9, 2025 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 16, 2025. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (Jan. 17, 2026), and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 16, 2026).
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