Samson Nacua added to Polynesian College Player of the Year Watch List

HONOLULU — BYU wide receiver Samson Nacua has been added to the 2021 Polynesian College Player of the Year Award Watch List, following his stellar performance in BYU’s 66-49 win over Virginia on Saturday.

Nacua had three catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in the Cougars’ fifth win in 2021 over a Power 5 opponent. The fifth-year senior hauled in his third touchdown pass of the season with 1:27 left in the first half to give BYU a 38-35 lead.

Limited early in the year by an offseason injury, Nacua now has nine catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns for the No. 17 ranked Cougars. He joins BYU teammates, Chaz Ah You, Lorenzo Fauatea, Lopina Katoa, Neil Pau’u, Keenan Pili, Isaac Rex and his brother Puka Nacua on the 2021 watch list for the Polynesian College Player of the Year Award.

BYU quarterback Zach Kapono Wilson and University of Southern California safety Talanoa Hufanga were selected as co-recipients of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award in 2020. Wilson led BYU to a 11-1 record in 2020 while earning All-America honors and finishing No. 8 in the Heisman Trophy voting. 

The award is presented annually by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity.

Early this month, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced BYU head Kalani Sitake is one of eight finalists on the ballot for the 2022 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.