TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona football wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan today has been named one of 10 finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
 
McMillan has been named a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award for the first time. He joins a list of the best players in the country including Jonah Elliss (Utah), Troy Fautanu (Washington), Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Jadyn Ott (Cal), Dominick Puni (Kansas), Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State), and Sione Vaki (Utah).
 
"On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, we congratulate the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalists," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. "Each of these young men had an incredible season and are a testament to the tremendous impact our Polynesian student-athletes are having in college football today."
 
The finalists were selected from a Watch List of nearly 100 players 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, former ESPN Sportscaster Neil Everett, and Chief National Reporter for NFL Network Steve Wyche.
 
McMillan earns this honor after finishing 8th in the nation in receiving yards (1,242), which is 3rd in the Pac-12. He caught 10 touchdowns marking the fifth-most in the conference and tied for the second-most TD receptions in a single season in program history. McMillan averaged 103.5 receiving yards per game, which ranks 8th in the nation after the regular season. He averaged 15.5 yards per reception which was 8th in the Pac-12. McMillan had 80 receptions, which is good for 5th in the conference.
 
The 80 catches by McMillan are 8th in a single season in program history entering the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28.
 
2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Finalists
Jonah Elliss (DL, Utah)
Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington)
Taliese Fuaga (OL, Oregon State)
Laiatu Latu (DL, UCLA)
Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
Jadyn Ott (RB, California)
Dominick Puni (OL, Kansas)
Taulia Tagovailoa (QB, Maryland)
J.T. Tuimoloau (DL, Ohio State)
Sione Vaki (S/All-Purpose, Utah)
 
The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award winner will be announced on December 14, 2023. A formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2024 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 20, 2024) and they will be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 19, 2024).
 
Past Polynesian College Football Players of the Year
2014 – Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon)
2015 – Ronnie Stanley (OL, Notre Dame)
2016 – Sefo Liufau (QB, Colorado)
2017 – Hercules Mata'afa (DL, Washington State)
2018 & 2019 – Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama)
2019 – Penei Sewell (OL, Oregon)
2020 – Talanoa Hufanga (USC), Zach Kapono Wilson (BYU)
2021 – Haskell Garrett (Ohio State)
2022 – Tuli Tuipulotu (USC)
 
About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. There are currently 44 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
 
About the Polynesian Bowl
The Polynesian Bowl is a premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation's top-ranked high school seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, and Nico Iamaleava. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com.