University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
USC's Talanoa Hufanga Named Semifinalist For Witten Man Of The Year Award
November 17, 2020 | Football
LOS ANGELES — Junior safety Talanoa Hufanga has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
The award is presented to a player who demonstrates a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.
Hufanga, a 2019 All-Pac 12 second teamer, has 155 career tackles, including 11.5 for losses, plus 7 deflections, 3 forced fumbles and an interception. This season, he is second on the Trojans in tackles with 14 and also has an interception and forced fumble. He is on the 2020 Watch Lists for the Bednarik, Nagurski and Thorpe Awards and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Could watch this all day 👀#FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/RVkAFDQ0GC
— USC Football (@USC_FB) November 14, 2020
He grew up on a farm in Oregon and has overcome numerous injuries during his football career. He was one of two student-athletes on USC's search committee for a new athletic director in 2019. Off the field, he regularly purchases food to take to the homeless around South Central Los Angeles and he spends his time serving at My Friend's Place, a center for homeless youth in L.A.
Hufanga joins fellow 2020 Witten Award semifinalists Najee Harris (Alabama), Amadeo West (Army), Elijah Hicks (California), Michael Carter II (Duke), Harry Crider (Indiana), Skylar Thompson (Kansas State), Joshua Paschal (Kentucky), Adam Shibley (Michigan), Nick Bolton (Missouri), Cameron Kinley (Navy), Lawson Hall (Nevada), Daelin Hayes (Notre Dame), Spencer Eason-Riddle (South Carolina), Kingsley Jonathan (Syracuse), Sam Ehlinger (Texas), Kellen Mond (Texas A&M), Andre Mintze (Vanderbilt), Elijah Molden (Washington) and Mike Caliendo (Western Michigan).
Three finalists will be named for the award on Dec. 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on Feb. 16, 2021. The winner will also receive a $10,000 contribution in his name to his school's athletic scholarship fund.
Last year, USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was a finalist for the Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
