HONOLULU, HI — Oregon Ducks outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei has been recognized for his exceptional talents on the field, as he was selected as one of six finalists for the prestigious 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame made this announcement.
The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies great ability and integrity. Uiagalelei stands among elite company, sharing this honor with notable finalists, including Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano, Arizona State offensive lineman Leif Fautanu, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, and Ohio State defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau.
“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, we extend our congratulations to the finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “These young men have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, showcasing the profound influence Polynesian student-athletes continue to have in college football today.”
Uiagalelei’s selection marks a significant milestone for the Oregon football program, making him the sixth finalist in history and the first since Noah Sewell earned the honor in consecutive years in 2021 and 2022. The Ducks have seen previous success with the award, as Marcus Mariota won the inaugural honor in 2014, and Penei Sewell was awarded in 2019. Notably, DeForest Buckner was also a finalist in 2015.
As a true sophomore, Uiagalelei has emerged as one of the nation’s premier pass rushers, leading the Big Ten Conference with a career-high of 10.5 sacks. He is tied for fifth in the conference with a team- and career-high 12.5 tackles for loss and has added 37 total tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception, and a blocked kick to his impressive statistics.
His outstanding performance earned him recognition as an all-Big Ten first-team selection by the league’s media and a second-team selection by the conference’s coaches and the Associated Press. With a remarkable ability to disrupt opposing offenses, Uiagalelei has recorded a sack in eight of his last ten games, closing in on the University of Oregon’s single-season record with just 2.5 sacks to go.
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 19, 2024. Formal recognition will be held during the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on January 18, 2025, and at the Polynesian Bowl on January 17, 2025.
Uiagalelei and the undefeated No. 1 Oregon Ducks are the top seed in the College Football Playoff. They will receive a first-round bye and will face either No. 8 Ohio State or No. 9 Tennessee in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. With such significant achievements and a bright future, Uiagalelei continues solidifying his legacy as a standout player in college football.
