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Boise State Athletics
Latu, Taufa Selected to Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List
8/20/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State defensive lineman David Latu and offensive lineman Stewart Taufa were selected to the Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced. The duo is eligible for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field.
Latu appeared in 12 games in his first season as a Bronco, starting six. He finished the year with nine tackles, including three TFLs and one sack. He notched at least 0.5 TFLs in five contests, splitting a sack in victories over UNLV and Nevada. The Rosepark, Utah native joined Boise State after two seasons at BYU, where he tallied six tackles, and a year at Snow College, where he earned NJCAA All-America second team honors. He was named Preseason All-Pac-12 fourth team by Athlon Sports.
Taufa saw action in three games as a true freshman, seeing time at center. He made his collegiate debut against Eastern Washington, helping Boise State post season-highs in rushing yards (328) and total yards (637) in a 51-14 victory. He also played at Utah State, where the Broncos totaled 512 yards of offense in a 25-24 win, which clinched a berth in the Mountain West Championship. The St. George, Utah native also appeared in the LA Bowl against Washington.
Finalists for the award will be recognized on December 8 and the recipient of the 13th Polynesian Player of the Year will be announced on December 15. The winner will be recognized at the Polynesian Bowl, which is scheduled for January 15, 2027. The award will be presented during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner, set for January 16, 2027.
Broncos on 2026 Watch Lists
QB Maddux Madsen (Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000, AFCA Good Hands Team Nominee)
RB Dylan Riley (Maxwell Award)
TE Matt Wagner (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Roger Carreon (Outland Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Daylon Metoyer (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Stewart Taufa (Polynesian Player of the Year)
DL David Latu (Polynesian Player of the Year)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB Jaden Mickey (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB JeRico Washington Jr. (East-West Bowl 1000)
P Oscar Doyle (Ray Guy Award)
HC Spencer Danielson (Dodd Trophy)
Latu appeared in 12 games in his first season as a Bronco, starting six. He finished the year with nine tackles, including three TFLs and one sack. He notched at least 0.5 TFLs in five contests, splitting a sack in victories over UNLV and Nevada. The Rosepark, Utah native joined Boise State after two seasons at BYU, where he tallied six tackles, and a year at Snow College, where he earned NJCAA All-America second team honors. He was named Preseason All-Pac-12 fourth team by Athlon Sports.
Taufa saw action in three games as a true freshman, seeing time at center. He made his collegiate debut against Eastern Washington, helping Boise State post season-highs in rushing yards (328) and total yards (637) in a 51-14 victory. He also played at Utah State, where the Broncos totaled 512 yards of offense in a 25-24 win, which clinched a berth in the Mountain West Championship. The St. George, Utah native also appeared in the LA Bowl against Washington.
Finalists for the award will be recognized on December 8 and the recipient of the 13th Polynesian Player of the Year will be announced on December 15. The winner will be recognized at the Polynesian Bowl, which is scheduled for January 15, 2027. The award will be presented during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner, set for January 16, 2027.
Broncos on 2026 Watch Lists
QB Maddux Madsen (Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000, AFCA Good Hands Team Nominee)
RB Dylan Riley (Maxwell Award)
TE Matt Wagner (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Roger Carreon (Outland Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Daylon Metoyer (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Stewart Taufa (Polynesian Player of the Year)
DL David Latu (Polynesian Player of the Year)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB Jaden Mickey (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB JeRico Washington Jr. (East-West Bowl 1000)
P Oscar Doyle (Ray Guy Award)
HC Spencer Danielson (Dodd Trophy)
--BroncoSports.com--
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/ FootballWednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
Tuesday, August 18
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