University of Hawai'i senior defensive lineman Kaimana Padello has been named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list. The award is presented to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
 
Over his first three season's Padello has developed from unheralded walk-on to a team leader and one of the top defensive players in the Mountain West. Last year he earned all-conference second team honors and received the team's Ben Yee Most Inspirational Player Award. Padello helps coach youth football and has also put in work in the classroom. He enters the 2019 campaign as a three-time academic all-Mountain West selection.
 
The Mililani, O'ahu native is one of 93 student-athletes on the watch list, which includes 10 players who were also on last year's list. The formal announcement of the 2019 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation's festivities in New York City on December 10. The presentation of the 2019 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 51st All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 14, 2020, in Fort Walton Beach.

Widely known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service", the Wuerffel Trophy is named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida. UH long snapper Noah Borden was a semifinalist for last year's award.