RENO, Nev. - Nevada fifth-year running back Toa Taua was named to the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

Toa, a two-time All-Mountain West selection, and the 2018 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, appeared in all 13 games last season, rushing for 732 yards and six touchdowns on 150 attempts.

In 2020, Taua was named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, finishing the nine-game season with 675 rushing yards and being named to the All-Mountain West Second Team. he ran for a career-best 872 yards in 2018, earning the Mountain West's top freshman honor, and a season later was named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention. 

Ahead of the 2022 campaign, Taua was recognized by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele on those outlets' respective preseason All-Mountain West Teams, being named to the First Team by Phil Steele and to the Second Team by Athlon Sports.

Taua enters the new season ranked in Nevada's top 10 in career rushing yards, currently sitting eighth at 3,086 yards. His 638 career rushing attempts are sixth all-time, at Nevada, entering 2022.

2022 Nevada Preseason Watch List Members
Aaron Frost
Outland Trophy

Dom Peterson
Bednarik Award

Christian Swint
Allstate AFCA Good Hands Team
Wuerffel Trophy

Brandon Talton
Lou Groza Award

Toa Taua
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year