LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football had four players named to the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List, it was announced on Thursday. Seniors Tavo Motu'apuaka and Bronson Olevao Jr. and juniors K'leyone Iosua and Kache Kaio were each included on the 64-player list.

Motu'apuaka, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound offensive lineman from Honolulu, Hawaii, earned his spot on the watch list after starting in all 12 games he played in last season at right guard. He played 764 total snaps on the season and recorded 47 knockdowns. Motu'apuaka played a career-high 85 snaps at Fresno State and set a career-high with seven knockdowns against UNLV. He has started all 19 games he has played in at USU over the past three seasons. Motu'apuaka was also named to the Sports Info Solutions Preseason Pac-12 First Team and the Athlon Sports Preseason Pac-12 Third Team.

Olevao Jr., a 6-1, 225-pound inside linebacker from Salt Lake City, Utah, earned All-Mountain West honorable mention last season after starting all 13 games for the Aggies and finishing third on the team with 90 tackles alongside 4.0 sacks, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, three pass breakups, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He posted a career-high 14 tackles against San Jose State while also recovering a fumble and returning it 20 yards. Olevao reached double-digit tackles against UNLV, finishing with 10 and his first career interception. Olevao has played in 28 games in his career for the Aggies and was named to the Preseason Pac-12 First Team by Athlon Sports, Phil Steele and the Pro Football Network.

Iosua, a 6-3, 320-pound offensive lineman from Corvallis, Oregon, played in all 13 games for USU last season, including his first career start against UTEP where he recorded a career-high 61 snaps. He registered four knockdowns on the year while playing 126 total snaps, including a career-high two knockdowns against McNeese.

Kaio, a 6-3, 250-pound tight end from Laie, Hawaii, played in all 13 games last season for the Aggies and made his first career started against Hawai'i. He caught two passes on the year for 10 yards, logging a reception against Nevada and Washington State. Kaio earned both Academic All-MW and MW Scholar-Athlete honors in 2025.

The Polynesian College Player of the Year Award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field. The watch list was compiled based on past performance and potential for the upcoming season. Finalists will be selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee and announced on Dec. 8 with a winner announced on Dec. 15.

Utah State football begins its season at home on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. (MT), when the Aggies host Idaho State at Maverik Stadium. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets can be purchased through the USU Online Ticket Office.

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