HONOLULU, HI -- Maryland redshirt senior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been named the Polynesian College Football Offensive Player of the Year, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity.

A Second Team All-Big Ten selection, Tagovailoa leads the Big Ten in nearly every passing category, standing atop the league in passing yards (3,377), passing touchdowns (25), completions (290), points responsible for (182) and total offense (3,395). Maryland's all-time passing leader in every category, Tagovailoa became the Big Ten's all-time passing leader against Rutgers, now with 11,256 career passing yards. Tagovailoa has thrown a touchdown in 11 of 12 games and thrown for at least 250 yards in nine of 12 games this season.

This was the third year Tagovailoa was named a finalist for this award and his first time winning it. UCLA DL Laiatu Latu was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

"We congratulate Taulia and Laiatu on outstanding seasons, and collegiate careers," said Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman Jesse Sapolu. "Their accomplishments are a source of great pride for the Polynesian community."

Former University of Oregon, Philadelphia Eagles QB Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014; former University of Notre Dame, Baltimore Ravens OL Ronnie Stanley in 2015; former University of Colorado QB Sefo Liufau in 2016; former Washington State DE Hercules Mata`afa in 2017; former University of Alabama, Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in 2018 & 2019; former University of Oregon, Detroit Lions OL Penei Sewell in 2019; former University of Southern California, San Francisco 49ers Safety Talanoa Hufanga, and former Brigham Young University, New York Jets QB Zach Kapono Wilson in 2020; former Ohio State University DL Haskell Garrett in 2021; and former University of Southern California, Los Angeles Chargers DL Tuli Tuipulotu in 2022.

The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2024 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 20, 2024), along with being recognized during the 2024 Polynesian Bowl (January 19, 2024).

The Polynesian College Football Offensive & Defensive Players of the Year were voted on by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Chairman), Coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, Inaugural Inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL Player and Class of 2015 Inductee Ray Schoenke, Former ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche.