University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
USC’s Stanley Ta’ufo’ou and Tyrone Taleni Selected to 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List
August 17, 2023 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC defensive linemen Stanley Ta'ufo'ou and Tyrone Taleni were selected to the 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List today (Aug. 17). The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Ta'ufo'ou, a returning starter, will once again look to be a contributor on the Trojan defensive line as a redshirt senior in 2023. He recorded 27 tackles, including 5.5 for loss of 14 yards (with 1 sack for minus 6 yards), 2 fumble recoveries and 2 QB hurries while appearing in all 14 games with 13 starts (all but the Cotton Bowl versus Tulane) as a redshirt junior in 2022.
Taleni returns as a veteran on the defensive line as a redshirt senior in 2023. He had 25 tackles, including 7.5 for loss of 54 yards (with 5 sacks for minus 45 yards), 3 QB hurries and 1 forced fumble while appearing in 12 games and starting the last 9 games of the season as a senior defensive lineman in 2022. He was named to the AP All-Pac-12 Second Team.
In 2022, former USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu won the award, and former Trojan safety Talanoa Hufanga won in 2020.
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).
Ta'ufo'ou, a returning starter, will once again look to be a contributor on the Trojan defensive line as a redshirt senior in 2023. He recorded 27 tackles, including 5.5 for loss of 14 yards (with 1 sack for minus 6 yards), 2 fumble recoveries and 2 QB hurries while appearing in all 14 games with 13 starts (all but the Cotton Bowl versus Tulane) as a redshirt junior in 2022.
Taleni returns as a veteran on the defensive line as a redshirt senior in 2023. He had 25 tackles, including 7.5 for loss of 54 yards (with 5 sacks for minus 45 yards), 3 QB hurries and 1 forced fumble while appearing in 12 games and starting the last 9 games of the season as a senior defensive lineman in 2022. He was named to the AP All-Pac-12 Second Team.
In 2022, former USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu won the award, and former Trojan safety Talanoa Hufanga won in 2020.
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).
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