RENO, Nev. – Sixth-year defensive end Henry Ikahihifo will make his return to the Mackay Stadium field this fall, after sitting out the 2023 season due to being denied a waiver of immediate eligibility.
Nearly two years between regular-season game action has further ignited Ikahihifo's motivation to make his final season of college football one to remember. And along the path of helping Nevada return to the ranks of the Mountain West's best, he has set for himself a deeply personal goal—the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year award.
Follow Ikahihifo's path towards returning to the field in 2024, features, and media covering him at his campaign home page HERE.
"[The award] would mean the world to me," Ikahihifo said. "All my years of football, there was always something that I messed up, made a mistake and end up leaving and having to restart, but this year I decided to thug it out. One of my goals that I told Coach Choate was I want to end my college career with this award. And I want to make sure I get this award not only for me but for my family.
"What makes me proud of my Tongan heritage is, it's a 'tough love' culture to where you gotta be a man, at some point. It took me awhile to realize that, because being the youngest of six in a Polynesian family, I was always the hard-headed child," Ikahihifo said. "I always wanted to do the opposite of what was right. My parents really helped me understand my culture, that I can represent them on the field and off the field. But I really gotta make sure I'm doing the right things at the right times."
Ikahihifo earned an invitation to the Polynesian Bowl out of high school, but an injury prevented him from participating.
"When I got the invite, I was kind of starstruck. I didn't think a Nevada commit could just go out there will all the four- and five-stars, just go out there to the Polynesian Bowl and have fun. It felt so heartwarming that I got the notice for it."
Ikahihifo began his collegiate career playing tight end at Nevada from 2019-20, making seven receptions for 37 yards over 20 appearances. After the 2020 season, he transferred to College of the Canyons, switching to defensive end in the process.
After a strong debut season on the defensive side, where he made 32 tackles, including 5.5 sacks, Ikahihifo signed with California. With the Golden Bears in 2022, he played in 10 games, recording one sack, before rejoining the Wolf Pack ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Despite being unable to play in 2023, Ikahihifo has taken on a leadership role in the Wolf Pack locker room, even more so under new Nevada head coach Jeff Choate, who took the reins in December. Ikahihifo and his fellow Polynesian teammates have been instrumental in bringing the locker room together, sharing the values of their respective cultures and heritage to create a family among a roster featuring student-athletes from all corners of the United States and the Pacific.
"The pride that Henry takes in his Polynesian culture is evident--the way that he prepares the extended family that is our locker room and the Warrior Spirit that this young man exhibits is tied to his heritage and I know how proud he is of that. We are honored and blessed to have him as a part of our program," said Nevada head coach Jeff Choate.
Ikahihifo will make his long-awaited return to game action, and to Mackay Stadium, for the Wolf Pack when it opens its 2024 season August 24, hosting new ACC member SMU.
