Cougar defensive end Hercules Mata’afa has named one of finalists for the Polynesian Hall of Fame College Football Player of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to the Polynesian football player who best combines ability and integrity. Last year’s winner was Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau and previous winners include NFL top 10 ten draft picks Marcus Mariota and Ronnie Stanley.
Mata’afa was just named 1st team All Pac-12 and a lot of pundits think he was robbed of the Pac-12 defensive player of the year award. That award was given to UW’s defensive tackle Vita Vea, who coincidentally is also up for this player of the year.