Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto
Four Ducks On Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year Watch List
08/19/21 | Football
HONOLULU — Four Oregon football players – Popo Aumavae, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Mase Funa and Noah Sewell – have been named to the preseason watch for the 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Thursday.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. The 2021 watch list is composed of 63 players from 31 different FBS schools. Oregon is one of six schools with at least four players on the watch list.
The Ducks have a rich history with the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. Marcus Mariota was the inaugural recipient in 2014, and Penei Sewell took home the honor in 2019. Oregon is the only program to have had multiple players win the award.
The winner of the 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 30. The presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (January 21, 2022) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (January 22, 2022).
DT Popo Aumavae
» Has appeared in 25 games for the Ducks over the last three seasons.
» 30 career tackles, including 15 solo.
» 3.5 career sacks – all coming in 2019 – and 6.0 career tackles for loss.
OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
» 2020 Coaches Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention
» Has played in eight games for Oregon over two seasons since transferring from Navarro College.
» Started six of seven games in 2020, playing 235 snaps at right tackle and 125 at right guard.
LB Mase Funa
» 57 career tackles – 37 solo – in 21 career games for the Ducks across the last two seasons.
» 4.0 career sacks and 12.0 career tackles for loss.
» Finished third among Pac-12 freshmen in 2019 in both sacks (4.0) and TFL (8.5).
LB Noah Sewell
» 2020 Coaches Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year
» One of two FBS true freshmen and the only in Power 5 to lead his team in tackles (45) in 2020.
» First Oregon true freshman to lead the team in tackles since Troy Dye in 2016.
» Led Pac-12 freshmen in tackles, TFLs (6.5) and sacks (2.0).
» Against Oregon State, became just the second UO freshmen since 2000 with double-digit tackles (10) and multiple TFLs (2.0) in the same game.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. The 2021 watch list is composed of 63 players from 31 different FBS schools. Oregon is one of six schools with at least four players on the watch list.
The Ducks have a rich history with the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. Marcus Mariota was the inaugural recipient in 2014, and Penei Sewell took home the honor in 2019. Oregon is the only program to have had multiple players win the award.
The winner of the 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 30. The presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (January 21, 2022) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (January 22, 2022).
DT Popo Aumavae
» Has appeared in 25 games for the Ducks over the last three seasons.
» 30 career tackles, including 15 solo.
» 3.5 career sacks – all coming in 2019 – and 6.0 career tackles for loss.
OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
» 2020 Coaches Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention
» Has played in eight games for Oregon over two seasons since transferring from Navarro College.
» Started six of seven games in 2020, playing 235 snaps at right tackle and 125 at right guard.
LB Mase Funa
» 57 career tackles – 37 solo – in 21 career games for the Ducks across the last two seasons.
» 4.0 career sacks and 12.0 career tackles for loss.
» Finished third among Pac-12 freshmen in 2019 in both sacks (4.0) and TFL (8.5).
LB Noah Sewell
» 2020 Coaches Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year
» One of two FBS true freshmen and the only in Power 5 to lead his team in tackles (45) in 2020.
» First Oregon true freshman to lead the team in tackles since Troy Dye in 2016.
» Led Pac-12 freshmen in tackles, TFLs (6.5) and sacks (2.0).
» Against Oregon State, became just the second UO freshmen since 2000 with double-digit tackles (10) and multiple TFLs (2.0) in the same game.
OHANA.
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 19, 2021
Four Ducks are on the @PolynesianFBHOF College Football Player of the Year Award preseason watch list. @SalaDaBeast @B1essah @PopoAumavae @mase_funa #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/5RKdfF8wnW
Players Mentioned
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