The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced its list of nominees for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award and two Wyoming Cowboys have been named to the list.

Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa and center Nofoafia Tulafono are both among this year’s candidates for the second year in a row.

Suiaunoa appeared in all 13 games for the Cowboys last season and was a starter. Phil Steele named him 3rd team All-MW. He was second on the team with 93 total tackles. He also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception. His 7.2 tackles per game ranked 10th in the MW. He had three games last season with 10 or more tackles. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles for the Cowboys in a win over Texas Tech. He recorded 13 tackles against another top-ranked opponent, Fresno State, and added 11 against Boise State. Suiaunoa recorded an interception against Colorado State. He recorded a season-high 1.5 tackles for loss in a win over Portland State.

Tulafono started all 13 games. He paved the way for Harrison Waylee to rush for over 100 yards four times, with the highest being 191 yards against New Mexico. Tulafono also helped protect Andrew Peasley, who threw for at least 140 yards nine times and set a season-high 319 yards against Hawaii. Tulafono helped Wyoming finish in the top 15 nationally in fourth-down conversion rate at 66.7%. The Cowboys were named to the Joe Moore Award Mid-Season Watch List, with the award going to the nation’s best offensive line.

“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award has become one of the most prestigious awards in all of college football,” said Jesse Sapolu, chairman, co-founder and inductee of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. “This award means so much to our people as it showcases the tremendous impact our Polynesian student-athletes have on the game of football and gives us the opportunity to share our culture with the world.”

Inductees for the Watch List were selected based on their past accomplishments and future potential, with additional members being added to the list throughout the 2024 season. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes former NFL player and inductee Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson (Chairman), coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and inductee Olin Kreutz, inductee and former NFLPA President Kevin Mawae, former NFL player and 2015 inductee Ray Schoenke, sportscaster Neil Everett and NFL Network chief national reporter Steve Wyche.

The five finalists for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award will be announced on December 3, and the winner will be announced on December 17. The award will be presented during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Induction Dinner (January 18, 2025) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and the award winners will also be honored during the Polynesian Bowl (January 17, 2025).