The best senior high school football player(s) of Polynesian ancestry receive the Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year Award each year. San Francisco 49ers safety as of right now Talanoa Hufanga was chosen as the Award’s first recipient in 2017. Ohio State University DE J.T. Tuimoloau received the award in 2020, University of Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan was chosen in 2021, University of Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava was chosen in 2022, and BYU and current Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua & University of Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa were chosen as co-players of the year in 2018. QB DJ Uiagalelei was chosen in 2019.
Raiola, a five-star recruit from Hawaii, has committed to the University of Nebraska. Carrying an 11-2 record, he passed for 2,666 yards and 34 touchdowns as the quarterback of the Buford Wolves. He was chosen for the Polynesian Bowl in 2024.
Wilson, a four-star recruit from Hawaii, has committed to the University of Utah. He threw for 4,595 yards and 49 touchdowns while leading Corner Canyon to a 13-1 record.
He was chosen for the Polynesian Bowl in 2024.
Chairman of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Jesse Sapolu remarked, “On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors, we congratulate Dylan Raiola and Isaac Wilson on their amazing seasons.” “We are eager to follow their journey and believe they have a bright future ahead of them.”
Raiola is the top quarterback, top player in Georgia for the 2024 class, and the second-best prospect overall according to 247Sports.
On December 18, he switched his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska, and two days later, he signed a contract with the Huskers.
Wilson is ranked No. 3 in Utah for the 2024 class and No. 21 among quarterbacks by 247Sports.
He inked a contract with the Utes in December after announcing his commitment to them on May 24.
Previous Polynesian High School Player of the Year winners are as follows:
Isaac Wilson
2018 saw Talanoa Hufanga (USC/San Francisco 49ers), 2019 saw Puka Nacua (BYU/Los Angeles Rams) and Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), 2020 saw DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State), 2021 saw J.T. Tuimoloau (Ohio State), 2022 saw Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), and 2023 saw Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee).
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame was established to commemorate the best players, coaches, and contributors from Polynesia. The Polynesian Cultural Center serves as its permanent home. Super Bowl victors Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa founded it in 2013. There are 44 inductees as of right now. Go to PolynesianFootballHOF.org to learn more.
About the Polynesian Bowl: Every year, 100 of the top high school seniors in the country, both of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry, compete in the Polynesian Bowl, a premier all-star game held in Honolulu. Many of these players have gone on to play in the NFL. AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, and Nico Iamaleava are among the previous MVPs. NFL Network telecasts the game live at primetime. To learn more, go to PolynesianBowl.com.
