Matelau Named to Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
August 20, 2026 | Football
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois offensive lineman Maika Matelau has been named to the 2026 watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
POLYNESIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who epitomizes great ability and integrity. The watch list is composed of 68 players from 35 NCAA FBS schools.
- Polynesian College Football Player of the Year website
- Last three winners:
- 2025: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah and Makai Lemon, WR, USC
- 2024: Tetairoa McMillan,WR, Arizona
- 2023: Laiatu Latu, DL, UCLA and Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland
MAIKA MATELAU
- Transferred to Illinois after one season at Mt. San Antonio College
- Rated by as the No. 1 junior college interior lineman in the nation according to 247Sports
- Ranked as the No. 16 junior college player in the nation by 247Sports
- Three-star recruit coming out of high school
- Served on a mission to Tonga for two years after high school graduation
ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF AUGUST 20)
- Matthew Bailey – Lott IMPACT Trophy, Panini Senior Bowl Top 300
- Bret Bielema – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
- Hudson Clement – Panini Senior Bowl Top 300
- Brandon Henderson – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Katin Houser – Panini Senior Bowl Top 300
- Maika Matelau – Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award
- Jayshon Platt - Jet Award, Biletnikoff Award
- Jake Renfro – Rimington Trophy, Panini Senior Bowl Top 300, Comeback Player of the Year
- Xavier Scott – Panini Senior Bowl Top 300, Comeback Player of the Year
- Ca'Lil Valentine – Doak Walker Award
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballWednesday, August 26
Thursday, August 20
Thursday, August 20
Monday, August 17
