RENO, Nev. - Nevada tight end Keleki Latu has been named to the watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.

Latu, one of 85 players on the watch list, will make his Nevada debut in 2023 after spending the past two seasons at California. In Berkeley, Latu appeared in 22 games, making 22 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns.

He is the second Wolf Pack player named to a 2023 preseason watch list, joining kicker Brandon Talton, who is a candidate for the Lou Groza Award for the fifth-straight season.

"This award means so much to our people, and allows us to showcase the tremendous impact that our Polynesian student-athletes are having on the game of football," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. "We look forward to following all of the players on their journey this season."

The Watch List candidates have been selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions to the list will be made as the 2023 season progresses. The finalists and winner will be chosen by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee which includes former NFL Player 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.

The winner of the 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced December 14. Five finalists will be unveiled November 30. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (January 20, 2024) at the Sheraton Waikiki, and they will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (January 19, 2024).

Nevada opens its 2023 campaign Saturday, Sept. 2, at USC. Kickoff against the sixth-ranked Trojans is set for 3:30 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

2023 Nevada Football Preseason Watch Lists

TE Keleki Latu
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year

K Brandon Talton
Lou Groza Award