HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame revealed Thursday that Tennessee redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili is one of 85 players chosen for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The award is selected annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
The outstanding graduate transfer linebacker is poised to make a major impact for the Vols in 2023 after showing strong leadership and instincts during spring practices. Pili played at BYU from 2019-22 where he was a defensive leader and team captain, collecting 190 total tackles, 95 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four pass breakups. He earned his undergraduate degree in exercise science from BYU in December of 2022.
Pili originally signed with the Cougars as a member of the Class of 2016 as one of the top prep players in Utah. Before making his debut for the Cougars in 2019, Pili served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Orlando, Florida from 2017-19.
Watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
The winner of the 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 30. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (January 20, 2024) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (January 19, 2024).
2023 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Sr. DE Tyler Baron
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)
Sr. LB Aaron Beasley
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
All-SEC Third Team (Athlon)
Sr. OL Cooper Mays
Rimington Trophy Watch List
All-SEC Third Team (Media)
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)
Sr. WR Bru McCoy
All-SEC Second Team (Athlon, Media, Phil Steele)
Sr. QB Joe Milton III
Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
Davey O’Brien Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
All-SEC Third Team (Media, Phil Steele)
R-Sr. LB Keenan Pili
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
Sr. RB Jabari Small
Doak Walker Award Preseason Candidate List
Sr. OL Javontez Spraggins
All-SEC Third Team (Media)
R-Sr. TE Jacob Warren
Mackey Award Watch List
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
So. WR Squirrel White
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)
Sr. RS Dee Williams
All-American Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
All-SEC Third Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)
Jr. RB Jaylen Wright
Doak Walker Award Preseason Candidate List
All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)
-UT Athletics
