Honolulu, HI – UCLA's Laiatu Latu was named as one of eight finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award in an announcement on Thursday by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Latu has recorded 9.5 sacks for the season which is the most by a Bruin player since Takkarist McKinley was credited with 10.0 in 2016. He is tied for 11th in the nation (2nd in the Pac-12) in sacks per game (0.79). Latu registered a career-best 3.0 sacks in the Bruin win at Colorado which is tied for the most by a Pac-12 player in a game this season. He is also tied for second in the Pac-12 and 11th in the nation in fumbles forced per game (0.25). Earlier this week, Latu was selected to the first-team All-Pac-12 Conference Team by the league coaches.
The eight 2022 finalists include DL Viliami Fehoko (San Jose State), DL Siaki Ika (Baylor), DL Laiatu Latu (UCLA), OL Sataoa Laumea (Utah), LB Noah Sewell (Oregon), QB Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), DL J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State) and DL Tuli Tuipulotu (Southern California).
The Finalists were selected from a Watch List of more than 80 players by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL player and inductee Jack Thompson (Chairman), coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and inductee Olin Kreutz, inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL player and inductee Ray Schoenke, sportscaster Neil Everett and sportscaster Steve Wyche.
"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award showcases the tremendous impact of our Polynesian student-athletes in college football," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "We congratulate the Finalists on an incredible season and look forward to following their continued success."
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 13, 2022. The formal award presentation will be held at the 2023 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner in January.
Latu has recorded 9.5 sacks for the season which is the most by a Bruin player since Takkarist McKinley was credited with 10.0 in 2016. He is tied for 11th in the nation (2nd in the Pac-12) in sacks per game (0.79). Latu registered a career-best 3.0 sacks in the Bruin win at Colorado which is tied for the most by a Pac-12 player in a game this season. He is also tied for second in the Pac-12 and 11th in the nation in fumbles forced per game (0.25). Earlier this week, Latu was selected to the first-team All-Pac-12 Conference Team by the league coaches.
The eight 2022 finalists include DL Viliami Fehoko (San Jose State), DL Siaki Ika (Baylor), DL Laiatu Latu (UCLA), OL Sataoa Laumea (Utah), LB Noah Sewell (Oregon), QB Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), DL J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State) and DL Tuli Tuipulotu (Southern California).
The Finalists were selected from a Watch List of more than 80 players by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL player and inductee Jack Thompson (Chairman), coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and inductee Olin Kreutz, inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL player and inductee Ray Schoenke, sportscaster Neil Everett and sportscaster Steve Wyche.
"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award showcases the tremendous impact of our Polynesian student-athletes in college football," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "We congratulate the Finalists on an incredible season and look forward to following their continued success."
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 13, 2022. The formal award presentation will be held at the 2023 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner in January.