University Southern California Trojans
Poly Pride
August 10, 2017 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame named three Trojans to its watch list for the 2017 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award today.
Senior offensive linemen Toa Lobendahn and Viane Talamaivao and redshirt freshman running back Vavae Malepeai were all named to the 48-man watch list.
Lobendahn, who is of Samoan descent, makes the watch list for the second year in a row. The Cerritos, Calif. native has battled through multiple knee injuries to start 21 games at four different positions in his USC career.
Talamaivao, also Samoan, lands on the list for the first time in his tenure as a Trojan. Talamaivao is the most experienced player on USC's offensive line, with 32 starts in his first three years. The former freshman All-American is a lock at right guard heading into the 2017 season.
Malepeai, who hails from Aiea, Hawaii, is also a first-timer on the list, after redshirting in 2016 due to a broken shoulder blade. Malepeai set Hawaii's all-time high school rushing record in 2015 and was named the Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year before coming to USC.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame founded the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award in 2014, awarding it to Oregon QB Marcus Mariota. Notre Dame offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley won it in 2015 and Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau won it last season.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will cut its list down to five finalists on Nov. 30 and will announce the winner on Dec. 14.
Senior offensive linemen Toa Lobendahn and Viane Talamaivao and redshirt freshman running back Vavae Malepeai were all named to the 48-man watch list.
Lobendahn, who is of Samoan descent, makes the watch list for the second year in a row. The Cerritos, Calif. native has battled through multiple knee injuries to start 21 games at four different positions in his USC career.
Talamaivao, also Samoan, lands on the list for the first time in his tenure as a Trojan. Talamaivao is the most experienced player on USC's offensive line, with 32 starts in his first three years. The former freshman All-American is a lock at right guard heading into the 2017 season.
Malepeai, who hails from Aiea, Hawaii, is also a first-timer on the list, after redshirting in 2016 due to a broken shoulder blade. Malepeai set Hawaii's all-time high school rushing record in 2015 and was named the Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year before coming to USC.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame founded the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award in 2014, awarding it to Oregon QB Marcus Mariota. Notre Dame offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley won it in 2015 and Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau won it last season.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will cut its list down to five finalists on Nov. 30 and will announce the winner on Dec. 14.
Players Mentioned
C-OG
/ FootballWednesday, July 08
Wednesday, July 08
Wednesday, July 08
Monday, July 06
