HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i linebacker Darius Muasau is one of five finalists for the 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
 
Along with Muasau, the other finalists include Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, USC safety Talanoa Hufanga, Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir, and BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.
 
Muasau, a sophomore linebacker from 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu, was a first-team all-Mountain West pick who finished with team-highs of 104 tackles (68 solo), 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. He recorded double-digit tackles in six games including a career-high 18 against UNLV.
 
The Mililani High School product ranked fifth nationally in tackles per game (11.8) and fourth in solo tackles per game (7.6). His lone interception occurred during UH's New Mexico Bowl win over Houston. 
 
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on January 12, 2021. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2022 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 21, 2022), along with being recognized during the 2022 Polynesian Bowl (January 22, 2022).
 
Muasau is UH's fourth finalist for the award joining John Ursua (2018), Jahlani Tavai (2017), and Scott Harding (2014). No UH player has ever won the award.
 
POLYNESIAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
 
HASKELL GARRETT (Ohio State University)
Defensive Tackle … Senior … Samoan Ancestry … All-Big Ten Conference Selection … 17 tackles (10 solo) … 2 sacks … 1 INT … Born in Burlington, Vermont.
 
TALANOA HUFANGA (University of Southern California)
Safety … Sophomore … Tongan Ancestry … AP All-American Selection… All-Pac-12 Conference Selection … Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year … 62 tackles (40 solo) … 3 sacks … 4 INT … 2 forced fumbles … 2018 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Inaugural (2018) Polynesian Football Hall of Fame High School Player of the Year … Born in Corvallis, Oregon.
 
DARIUS MUASAU (University of Hawaiʻi)
Linebacker … Sophomore … Samoan Ancestry …  All-Mountain West Conference Selection … 102 tackles (66 solo) … 4.5 sacks … 1 INT … 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in San Diego, California.
 
KHALIL SHAKIR (Boise State University)
Wide Reciever … Junior … Samoan & Tongan Ancestry … All-Mountain West Conference Selection … 52 Receptions … 719 receiving yards … 6 TDs … 2018 Polynesian Bowl All-Star … Born in Murrieta, California.
 
ZACH KAPONO WILSON (Brigham Young University)
Quarterback … Junior… Hawaiian Ancestry … Completed 247 of 336 passes for 3,692 passing yards … 33 passing touchdowns … 70 carries for 254 rushing yards … 10 rushing touchdowns …  Born in Draper, Utah.