Liufau, Tupou Named To Polynesian Player Of The Year Watch List

HONOLULU – University of Colorado senior QB Sefo Liufau and senior DT Josh Tupou have been selected to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list, administered by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame and announced on Wednesday.

Now in its third year, former University of Oregon, and current Tennessee Titans Quarterback, Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2014 and former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley received last year's honor.

The winner of the 2016 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 7, 2016. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 17. The formal presentation of the award will be held at the Celebration Dinner during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on January 20, 2017.

Liufau and Tupou are two of 16 Pac-12 players announced on the list and the Conference of Champions has 10 more players on the watch list than any other conference.

Liufau has been making headlines recently by fighting back from a 2015 season ending Lisfranc (foot) injury ahead of schedule to retake the starting quarterback job he's had since his freshmen year. He has set 75 school records during his time at CU and there are nine records he can break this coming season.

This coming season Liufau is 13 yards away from becoming the all-time passing leader at CU and needs 12 touchdown passes to set the a new touchdown passing record. He was elected by his teammates to be one of CU's team captains for this coming 2016 season, making him just the second CU player to ever serve as a team captain for three seasons.

Tupou was named as a third-team preseason All-Pac-12 performer by Phil Steele's College Football and Athlon Sports added him to their fourth-team selections. In his career he has started 31 of 34 games on the Buffalo defensive line and will be there again at the start of this season.

During his time at CU Tupou has been a productive member of the defense. Recording 79 tackles (39 solo) including 11.5 tackles for loss. He's also recorded 4.5 sacks (four solo) including three sacks during the 2014 season. Tupou was presented the 2014 Defensive Trench Award by the CU coaches for his outstanding play on the defensive line and ability to shut down the opponent run game.

"It is remarkable that the first two recipients of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award went on to be drafted #2 overall (Marcus Mariota, 2015 NFL Draft) and #6 overall (Ronnie Stanley, 2016 NFL Draft) respectively," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "This award allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football."

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2016-2017 season progresses. The finalists and the winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes Coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, past NFLPA President and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae, ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL player personnel legend Gil Brandt and Honolulu Sportscaster Robert Kekaula.

Liufau, Tupou Named To Polynesian Player Of The Year Watch List

Players Mentioned

Sefo Liufau

Josh Tupou

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