Laramie, Wyo. (Aug. 18, 2023) – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced its 2023 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award and two Wyoming Cowboys have been named to the list.  Junior linebacker Shae Suiaunoa and junior center Nofoafia Tulafono are both among this year's candidates.
 
The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.  The Watch List is composed of 85 players from 41 different FBS schools.
 
"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."
 
Suiaunoa started all 13 games at weak-side linebacker for Wyoming during his sophomore season of 2022.  The native of Houston, Texas, ranked second on the Cowboy team in tackles with 70.  Suiaunoa was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. Northern Colorado during the '22 season.  He was named 2023 Preseason Third Team All-Mountain West by Phil Steele and Preseason Fourth Team All-MW by Athlon Sports.
 
Tulafono started every game at center for the Cowboys as a sophomore in 2022.  At the conclusion of the '22 season, the Victorville, Calif., native was named Second Team All-Mountain West by Pro Football Focus (PFF).  Entering the 2023 season, Tulafono was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Second Team by Athlon Sports.
 
The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential.  Additions to the list will be made as the 2023 season progresses.  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 "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, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and NFL Network commentator Steve Wyche.
 
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).