Faumui Added to Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Defensive lineman Aaron Faumui was amongst the 85 players featured on the watch list for the 2023 Polynesian Player of the Year Award presented by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. This marks the second-straight year Faumui has been included.

Faumui, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, started nine of the 10 games for the Cavaliers last season and led the UVA defense with 8.5 tackles for loss. His 39 total tackles were the most among UVA defensive linemen. Faumui was credited with four sacks and recorded either a half or solo sack in six of UVA’s 10 games. In five seasons at Virginia, Faumui has appeared in 48 games and made 24 starts. He has 102 tackles (45 solo) and 10 career sacks.

The winner of the 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 14. Five finalists will be unveiled on November 30. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (January 20, 2024) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (January 19, 2024).

Previous winners of the award include:

2014: QB Marcus Mariota (Oregon)
2015: OL  Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame)
2016: QB Sefo Liufau (Colorado)
2017: DE Hercules Mata`afa (Washington State)
2018: QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
2019: QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), OL Penei Sewell (Oregon)
2020: S Talanoa Hufanga (USC) QB, Zach Kapono Wilson (BYU)
2021: DL Haskell Garrett (Ohio State)
2022: DL Tuli Tuipulotu (USC)