Considering its long history of Polynesian influence, it should come as no surprise that the Pac-12 led the way with 15 players named to the preseason watch list for the inaugural Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.
Headlining the list is Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, USC safety Su'a Cravens, Oregon State center Isaac Seumalo, Washington linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha and BYU linebacker Alani Fua.
The award was established by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, which inducted its first class of members in January. That group of seven included Kurt Gouveia (BYU), Olin Kreutz (Washington), Kevin Mawae (LSU), Junior Seau (USC), Jack Thompson (Washington State), Herman Wedemeyer (Saint Mary's College) and Ken Niumatalolo (Navy/Hawaii).
The full breakdown of players on the watch list by conference is as follows: Pac-12 (15), Mountain West (12), Independents (4), American Athletic (1), Big 12 (1) and Sun Belt (1).
Here is the complete list (34 total):
OL Kody Afusia, Hawaii
S Su'a Cravens, USC
K Ka'imi Fairbairn, UCLA
LB Jake Fely, San Diego State
LB Salamo Fiso, Arizona State
LB Alani Fua, BYU
OL Edward Fusi, BYU
OL Ngalu Fusimalohi, Kansas
WR/P Scott Harding, Hawaii
OL Micah Hatchie, Washington
S Jeremy Ioane, Boise State
RB Joey Iosefa, Hawaii
OL Solomone Kafu, BYU
LB Bronson Kaufusi, BYU
LB Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington
QB Sefo Liufau, Colorado
OL Isaiah Folasa-Lutui, New Mexico State
DL Jaryl Mamea, Central Florida
QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
OL Jeremiah Poutasi, Utah
DE Sonny Puletasi, Wyoming
DL Sonny Sanitoa, UNLV
DE Ian Seau, Nevada
C Isaac Seumalo, Oregon State
S Brian Suite, Utah State
LB Christian Tago, San Jose State
LB John Tavai, USC
OL Vi Teofilo, Arizona State
LB John Timu, Washington
DL Josh Tupou, Colorado
Soma Vainuku, USC
DV Peni Vea, UNLV
LB Psalm Wooching, Washington
DL Beau Yap, Hawaii
Five finalists will be announced on Nov. 20 with the winner set to be named on Dec. 9.