ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Navy junior quarterback Tai Lavatai has been named to the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. 
 
Lavatai started all 10 games in which he played last year and finished the season with 371 yards rushing and a team-best seven touchdowns on 170 carries, while completing 34 of his 61 pass attempts (55.7) for 449 yards and five touchdowns. Lavatai led Navy in the win over Army with 62 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries, while completing four of his six passes for 82 yards.
 
This is the ninth year that the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has presented the award with former Oregon and current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota  selected as the inaugural recipient in 2014.
 
Other winners include former Notre Dame and current Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley in 2015; former Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau in 2016; former Washington State defensive end Hercules Mata`afa received the award in 2017; former Alabama and current Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa  in 2018 & 2019; Oregon offensive tackle and current Detroit Lions lineman, Penei Sewell, in 2020; former USC and current San Francisco 49ers safety, Talanoa Hufanga, and former BYU and current New York Jets quarterback, Zach Kapono in 2020; and former Ohio State and current Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Haskell Garrett received the award in 2021.

"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become one of the most competitive and prestigious awards in college football," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. "This award has become a source of great pride for Polynesians everywhere."

Five finalists for the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on December 1^st and the winner will be announced on December 15^th. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (January 21, 2023) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 20, 2023).

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 quarterback 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. 
 
Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo was also an inaugural inductee in the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.