Noa Pola-Gates Named to 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watchlist
HONOLULU, Haw. — Noa Pola-Gates, a transfer safety from Nebraska, was one of 85 student-athletes named to the 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watchlist. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. The Watchlist is composed of 85 players from 40 different FBS schools.
“This award means so much to our people, and allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football,” said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. “We look forward to following all of the players on their journey this season.”
Pola-Gates joined the Lobos after spring practice and should be a major contributor to a reworked defense that has finished in the Top-50 nationally in each of the last two seasons. Pola-Gates has played in 20 career games over four seasons, and still has a two seasons to play for the Lobos. He mostly played special teams at Nebraska, but should be a big factor on defense at safety for the Lobos.
The Lobos open the 2023 season at Texas A&M at 5 pm in a game broadcast on ESPN. The team opens the home schedule with back-to-back home games on September 9 against Tennessee Tech and September 16 hosting New Mexico State.
2023 Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List
Chaz Ah You LB BYU
Falepule Alo OL Utah State
Tupu Alualu DL San Diego State
Popo Aumavae DL Oregon
Duke Clemens OL UCLA
Chevan Cordeiro QB San Jose State
Levani Damuni LB Utah
Fa’alili Fa’amoe OL Washington State
Aaron Faumui DL Virginia
Leif Fautanu OL Arizona State
Troy Fautanu OL Washington
Ma’ake Fifita OL Washington State
Sione Finau OL Arizona State
Taliese Fuaga OL Oregon State
Mase Funa LB Oregon
Alaka’i Gilman S Stanford
George Holani RB Boise State
Josh Ilaoa OL Syracuse
Muelu Iosefa LB California
Jonah Kahahawai-Welch DL Hawai’i
Falcon Kaumatule OL Utah
Jonah La’ulu DL Oklahoma
Kamo’i Latu S Wisconsin
Keleki Latu TE Nevada
Laiatu Latu DL UCLA
Sataoa Laumea OL Utah
Tuli Letuligasenoa DL Washington
Marist Liufau LB Notre Dame
Jermayne Lole DL Louisville
Sione Lolohea DL Oregon State
Atunaisa Mahe DL BYU
George Maile OL Baylor
Paul Maile OL BYU
Jacob Manu LB Arizona
Tautai Marks OL Tulsa
Francis Mauigoa OL Miami
Francisco Mauigoa LB Miami
Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona
Jaxson Moi DL Stanford
Hale Motu’apuaka DL Utah State
Sergio Muasau OL Hawai’i
Darius Muasau LB UCLA
Mosiah Nasili-Kite LB Auburn
Sio Nofoagatoto’a DL Arizona
Jaydn Ott RB California
Jonah Panoke WR Hawai’i
Ari Patu QB Stanford
Lokahi Pauole OL UCF
Simote Pepa DL Utah
Keenan Pili LB Tennessee
Noa Pola-Gates S New Mexico
Esa Pole OL Washington State
Isaac Rex TE BYU
Jalen Sami DL Michigan State
Jonah Savaiinaea OL Arizona
Tiaoalii Savea DL Arizona
Uso Seumalo DL Kansas State
Kingsley Suamataia OL BYU
Shae Suiaunoa LB Wyoming
Stanley Ta’ufo’ou DL USC
MJ Tafisi Jr. LB Utah State
Junior Tafuna DL Utah
Taulia Tagovailoa QB Maryland
Taki Taimani DL Oregon
Marist Talavou OL San Jose State
Tyrone Taleni DL USC
Eliki Tanuvasa OL Hawai’i
Siale Taupaki OL UCLA
Lawrance Toafili RB Florida State
Soane Toia DL San Jose State
Jay Toia DL UCLA
J.T. Tuimoloau DL Ohio State
John Tuitupou DL Hawai’i
Nofoafia Tulafono OL Wyoming
Zion Tupuola-Fetui LB Washington
Alphonzo Tuputala LB Washington
DJ Uiagalelei QB Oregon State
Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli OL San Diego State
Fatafehi Vailea DL North Texas
AJ Vaipulu OL New Mexico State
Solo Vaipulu OL Hawai’i
Sione Vaki S Utah
Sioape Vatikani OL California
Mose Vavao OL Fresno State
Devaughn Vele WR Utah