HONOLULU, HI -- Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been selected to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List for the third year in a row, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday. 

Tagovailoa has been one of seven finalists for this award, presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity, in each of the past two seasons. The redshirt senior is from Ewa Beach, Hawaii and  lived there until high school. 

This is the fourth preseason watch list Tagovailoa has been selected to this year, also being chosen for the Maxwell Award Watch List (best player in college football), Davey O'Brien Award Watch List (best quarterback in college football) and Manning Award Watch List (best quarterback in college football). He was also the first Terp ever to be selected to the Big Ten Preseason Honors list.

The winner of the 2023 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 20, 2024) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (January 19, 2024).

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. Other board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe. There are currently 44 inductees. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has provided over $300,000 in college scholarships to date. For more information, go to PolynesianFootballHOF.org.

2023 Maryland Watch Lists
QB Taulia Tagovailoa - Maxwell (best player in nation), Davey O'Brien (best quarterback), Manning (best quarterback) & Polynesian Player of the Year 
LB Jaishawn Barham - Bednarik (best defensive player), Butkus (best linebacker), Lombardi (best lineman)
RB Roman Hemby - Doak Walker (best running back)
WR Jeshaun Jones - Paul Hornung (most versatile player)
P Colton Spangler - Ray Guy (best punter)
OL DJ Glaze - Lombardi (best lineman)