HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame revealed on Thursday that Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, linebacker Keenan Pili and defensive lineman Jaxson Moi were selected to the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. This year’s list is composed of 96 players ranging from 37 different FBS schools.
Iamaleava is the only SEC quarterback to be named to the prestigious list and is one of only four quarterbacks included overall. The Long Beach, California, native enters his second season with the program after serving as the backup quarterback and playing in five games during his true freshman season in 2023. He shined against No. 17 Iowa in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, accounting for four touchdowns in his first career start to lead the Vols to a 35-0 victory.
Pili lands himself on the watch list for the second consecutive season. The exceptional linebacker is poised for a standout season as a leader on the Tennessee defense, returning for his seventh collegiate season in 2024. Throughout his entire collegiate career, he has played in 37 games with 25 starts and tallied 194 total tackles with 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four pass breakups.
Moi, a junior, is preparing for a significant role on the Vols’ defensive unit. The Oceanside, California, product played two years at Stanford before arriving on Rocky Top this past spring. At Stanford, he played in 24 games while making eight starts at defensive tackle and registered 37 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and three batted passes.
Watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will choose the finalists and winner.
The five finalists for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on Dec. 3, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 17. The award presentation will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (Jan. 18, 2025) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 17, 2025).
2024 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List
John Campbell Jr., OL, R-Sr.
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Nico Iamaleava, QB, R-Fr.
Maxwell Award Watch List
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
Lance Heard, OL, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Cooper Mays, C, Sr.
Outland Trophy Watch List
Rimington Trophy Watch List
First-Team All-American (Walter Camp)
Second-Team All-American (ESPN, Phil Steele)
First-Team All-SEC (Media)
Second-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Bru McCoy, WR, R-Sr.
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Jaxson Moi, DL, Jr.
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Sr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
James Pearce Jr., DE, Jr.
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Lott Trophy Watch List
Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
First-Team All-American (Athlon, ESPN, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
First-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
Keenan Pili, LB, Sr.
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Jackson Ross, P, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
Dylan Sampson, RB, Jr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
Javontez Spraggins, OL, Sr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Omari Thomas, DL, Sr.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Squirrel White, WR, Jr.
Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele)
