ORLANDO - UCF offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole has been named to the watch list for the 2022 Polynesian Player of the Year Award that goes to the most outstanding player of Polynesian ancestry in college football, as announced today by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
From Kapolei, Hawaii (Kamehameha High School), Pauole on a 2022 preseason basis is a Lindy's and Phil Steele first-team all-American Athletic Conference selection—and an Athlon Sports second-team pick. The senior guard has made 21 career starts. He was a second-team all-AAC selection in 2021 by vote of league coaches and by Phil Steele. In 2021 he helped the Knights rank 28th nationally in rushing, the fourth straight season UCF averaged at least 196 rushing yards per game.
The watch list is composed of 85 players from 43 different schools. Former University of Oregon and current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the award in 2014.
Five finalists for the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled Dec. 1 and the winner will be announced Dec. 15. The presentation of the award will take place during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (Jan. 21, 2023) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and the winner will also be recognized during the Jan. 20 Polynesian Bowl.
The watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2022 season progresses. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL player and inaugural inductee Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (chairman), coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and inaugural inductee Olin Kreutz, inaugural inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, former NFL player and Class of 2015 inductee Ray Schoenke, ESPN sportscaster Neil Everett and NFL Network commentator Steve Wyche.
Here are UCF players who have appeared to date on watch lists for the 2022 national college football awards:
--RB Isaiah Bowser (Doak Walker and Danny Wuerffel)
--RB Johnny Richardson (Doak Walker)
--WR Ryan O'Keefe (Fred Biletnikoff, Paul Hornung and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose)
--C Matt Lee (Rimington)
--TE Kemore Gamble (John Mackey)
--CB Davonte Brown (Jim Thorpe)
--OL Lokahi Pauole (Outland)
--S Divaad Wilson (Nagurski)
--P Andrew Osteen (Ray Guy)
--LS Alex Ward (Mannelly)
--OL Lokahi Pauole (Polynesian)