HONOLULU - San José State standout football players Gafa Faga, Peseti Lapuaho, Taniela Latu, and Quincy Likio have been named to the prestigious 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List, as released today by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become one of the most prestigious honors in college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. “It is a source of great pride for our community, recognizing the outstanding achievements of Polynesian student-athletes and giving us a powerful platform to share our culture with the world.”
The award annually recognizes the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who displays exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field. This year’s Watch List features 81 players representing 40 NCAA Division I programs across the nation.
The Watch List was compiled based on past performance and potential for the upcoming season, with additional players eligible to be added as the year progresses. Finalists will be announced on December 9, 2025, with the winner revealed on December 16, 2025. The award will be presented at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on January 17, 2026, in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, and honorees will also be recognized at the Polynesian Bowl on January 16, 2026.
San José State’s four representatives underscore the program’s strong connection to Polynesian heritage and its tradition of developing elite athletes who excel both on and off the field.
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Gafa Faga, DL, Sr., Alao, American Samoa/Fagaitua HS/New Mexico Military Institute
- Preseason All-Mountain West (2025)
- Phil Steele Preseason Mountain West First-Team Defense (2025)
- Athlon Sports Preseason Mountain West Second-Team Defense (2025)
- All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2024)
- Phil Steele Mountain West Second-Team Defense (2024)
- Finished 2024 with career-highs in games played (13), tackles (46), tackles for loss (4.5), and sacks (1)
Peseti Lapuaho, OL, Sr., West Valley City, Utah/Hunter HS/Weber State
- Preseason All-Mountain West (2025)
- Phil Steele Preseason Mountain West First-Team Offense (2025)
- Athlon Sports Preseason Mountain West Third-Team Offense (2025)
- Started at right tackle for all 13 games in 2024
- Part of an offensive line that was ninth in the country and third in the MW, only letting up 12 sacks in 2024
- The passing offense finished the best in the Mountain West and fifth in the country, averaging 321.8 yards per game in 2024
Taniela Latu, LB, Sr-R., San Mateo, Calif./Junipero Serra HS/College of San Mateo
- Phil Steele Preseason Mountain West Second-Team Defense (2025)
- Athlon Sports Preseason Mountain West Second-Team Defense (2025)
- All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2024)
- Finished 2024 with career-highs in tackles (70), tackles for loss (7), pass breakups (2), forced fumbles (1), and sacks (1)
- Led team with eight tackles and one quarterback hurry vs. Stanford (11/29/24)
Quincy Likio, DE, Sr-R., Kapahulu, Hawai‘i/Saint Louis HS/College of San Mateo
- Phil Steele Preseason Mountain West Fourth-Team Defense (2025)
- Finished 2024 with career-highs in tackles (16), tackles for loss (2.5), and sacks (1)
- Missed nine games due to injury in 2024
- Career-high six tackles with one for loss and first career sack vs. Kennesaw St. (9/14/24)
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