HONOLULU -- San Diego State senior center Alama Uluave (Laie, Hawaii) has been named to the 2021 watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday. Uluave is one of 53 players on the initial list, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Uluave, who has also been named a preseason second-team all-Mountain West selection as an interior offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus, started all eight games for the Aztecs at center a year ago. Part of team that was named to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll for the best offensive line (one of only two MW teams (also Air Force)), Uluave played in 553 of the team's 560 offensive snaps a year ago, committing just one penalty (0.18 pct.). For his career, Uluave has played in 27 games with the eight starts at center.
Oregon's Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the award in 2014, while other winners include Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley (2015), Colorado's Sefo Liufau (2016), Washington State's Hercules Mata`afa (2017), Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa (2018 and 2019), Oregon's Penei Sewell (shared award with Tagovailoa in 2019), and last year USC's Talanoa Hufanga and Brigham Young's Zach Wilson.
Former linebacker Ronley Lakalaka (2017 and 2018) is the only other SDSU player to make a Polynesian Collegiate Football Player of the Year Award Watch List.
The five finalists for the award will be unveiled on Nov. 30 with the winner announced on Dec. 14. The award presentation will be held Jan. 21, 2022, during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner at the Sheraton Waikiki and be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl the following day.
The watch list candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list may be made as the 2021 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 players Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae and Ray Schoenke, ESPN sportscaster Neil Everett and NFL network commentator Steve Wyche.
SDSU finished 4-4 last year with its four losses coming to teams that went a combined 29-6 (.829).
San Diego State will play seven of its 12 games in 2021 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., and will have only one road contest over the first six weeks of the season. The 2021 home slate features high-profile games against Utah, Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada. Five of the six FBS opponents that the Aztecs will play host to this season finished the 2020 campaign with a .500 or better record. SDSU opens 2021 at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, Sept. 4 against New Mexico State.
San Diego State football single-game tickets, season tickets and three-game mini plans are all on sale. For more information, click visit GoAztecs.com/tickets. For questions, please contact the Aztec Athletic Ticket Office, either by email at aztix@sdsu.edu, or by phone at 619-283-7378.
Uluave on Polynesian College Football Watch List
