University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Jay Toia (93)
Photo by: Don Liebig/ASUCLA
Five Bruins Named to the Polynesian Player of the Year Watchlist
August 17, 2023 | Football
Honolulu -- Duke Clemens, Laiatu Latu, Darius Muasau, Siale Taupaki, and Jay Toia were named to the 2023 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award on Thursday in an announcement 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.
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ย "This award means so much to our people, and allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. "We look forward to following all of the players on their journey this season."
Clemens was the starter in all 13 games at center last season and helped clear the way for the Bruins to average over 200 yards per game on the ground for the third straight season (237.2 - sixthย in FBS). The team had nine 200-yard rushing games, three of 300-plus yards, and toppedย the Pac-12 in rushing for the first time since 1976. Running backย Zach Charbonnetย paced the league in rushing average (135.9, fourth in NCAA) and led the nation in all-purpose yardage. The Bruins offensive line was selected as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award which is presented each year to the nation's top O-line.
Latu appeared in all 13 games last season and led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He ranked eighth in the nation, second in the Pac-12, with a 0.81 sacks per game mark. His 10.5 sacks were the most by a Bruin player since Anthony Barr registered 13.5 in the 2012 season and rate as the 12th-most by a Bruin player in school history. Latu posted 2023 season-highs with 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in a game at Colorado. In addition, Latu was credited with three forced fumbles on the season and had a fumble recovery. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus after being named to the Associated Press and The Athletic Mid-season All-America Teams.
Muasau, who played his first season as a Bruin in 2022 after transferring from Hawai'i, started all 13 games at inside linebacker and led the team in tackles (91). He rated 10th in the Pac-12 with an average of 7.0 stops per game and was credited with at least four stops in 10 games. Muasau had a season-best 14 tackles against Pittsburgh in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and was also credited with double-digit tackles at Arizona State (12) and South Alabama (10). He added 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack in the win over ASU. Muasau made interceptions against Utah and Stanford and forced a key fourth down fumble in the win over Utes. Following the season, he was named second-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and third-team all-league by Pro Football Focus.
Taupakiย spent the balance of 2022 in injury rehabilitation mode after appearing in the first two games of the season. He looks to compete for a spot in the regular rotation along the Bruin offensive line in 2023.
Toia saw action in all 13 games in 2022, with 12 starts along the Bruins defensive front. He was credited with a season-best 10 tackles (2.0 tackles for loss) against Pitt in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and was named Lineman of the Game. Toia added four stops in games at Arizona State and versus Arizona (sack). He recorded two tackles each in games against South Alabama, USC and Cal.
The Watch List candidates were selected based on past performance and future potential. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack Thompson (chairman), coach Ron McBride and coach 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, sportscaster Neil Everett and NFL Network commentator Steve Wyche. ย
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 in January at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the 2024 Polynesian Bowl.
ย
ย
ย "This award means so much to our people, and allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. "We look forward to following all of the players on their journey this season."
Clemens was the starter in all 13 games at center last season and helped clear the way for the Bruins to average over 200 yards per game on the ground for the third straight season (237.2 - sixthย in FBS). The team had nine 200-yard rushing games, three of 300-plus yards, and toppedย the Pac-12 in rushing for the first time since 1976. Running backย Zach Charbonnetย paced the league in rushing average (135.9, fourth in NCAA) and led the nation in all-purpose yardage. The Bruins offensive line was selected as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award which is presented each year to the nation's top O-line.
Latu appeared in all 13 games last season and led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He ranked eighth in the nation, second in the Pac-12, with a 0.81 sacks per game mark. His 10.5 sacks were the most by a Bruin player since Anthony Barr registered 13.5 in the 2012 season and rate as the 12th-most by a Bruin player in school history. Latu posted 2023 season-highs with 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in a game at Colorado. In addition, Latu was credited with three forced fumbles on the season and had a fumble recovery. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus after being named to the Associated Press and The Athletic Mid-season All-America Teams.
Muasau, who played his first season as a Bruin in 2022 after transferring from Hawai'i, started all 13 games at inside linebacker and led the team in tackles (91). He rated 10th in the Pac-12 with an average of 7.0 stops per game and was credited with at least four stops in 10 games. Muasau had a season-best 14 tackles against Pittsburgh in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and was also credited with double-digit tackles at Arizona State (12) and South Alabama (10). He added 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack in the win over ASU. Muasau made interceptions against Utah and Stanford and forced a key fourth down fumble in the win over Utes. Following the season, he was named second-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and third-team all-league by Pro Football Focus.
Taupakiย spent the balance of 2022 in injury rehabilitation mode after appearing in the first two games of the season. He looks to compete for a spot in the regular rotation along the Bruin offensive line in 2023.
Toia saw action in all 13 games in 2022, with 12 starts along the Bruins defensive front. He was credited with a season-best 10 tackles (2.0 tackles for loss) against Pitt in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and was named Lineman of the Game. Toia added four stops in games at Arizona State and versus Arizona (sack). He recorded two tackles each in games against South Alabama, USC and Cal.
The Watch List candidates were selected based on past performance and future potential. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL Player and Inaugural Inductee Jack Thompson (chairman), coach Ron McBride and coach 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, sportscaster Neil Everett and NFL Network commentator Steve Wyche. ย
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 in January at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the 2024 Polynesian Bowl.
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