RENO, Nev. - Nevada defensive lineman Nelson Ropati was named to the watch list for the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Thursday morning.

Presented annually, the award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field. This year's list features 81 players from 40 different NCAA Division I programs. Finalists for the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on December 9, 2025 and the winner will be announced on December 16, 2025.

It is the second preseason recognition for Ropati ahead of the 2025 campaign. In June he was named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-Mountain West Third Team.

Ropati quickly earned playing time in his first season at Nevada in 2024, appearing in all 13 games with four starts. The transfer from City College of San Francisco, where he was voted to the All-Bay 6 First Team in 2023,  finished his first Wolf Pack campaign with 19 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and made a season-high six tackles in the Oct. 12 win over Oregon State.

The Wolf Pack opens the 2025 season Saturday, Aug. 30, at No. 2/3 Penn State.

Buy 2025 Nevada Football Season, Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets for all six of Nevada's home contests are available now. The home slate includes three afternoon kickoffs, and Wolf Pack fans can purchase tickets HERE.

Season ticket prices for the 2025 season remain available. Family 4-PACKs are also available and include four General Admission season tickets and complimentary parking for only $400—a total savings of $240. Season tickets can be purchased online HERE or by calling (775) 348-PACK (7225).

Mini-plans for the 2025 season are also on sale HERE. The Wolf Pack offers two mini-plan options: one including Boise State (Oct. 24) and two additional home games of choice (excluding UNLV), and the second including UNLV (Nov. 29) and two additional home games of choice (excluding Boise State) starting at just $51.

Nevada on 2025 Preseason Watch Lists

WR/PR Marcus Bellon
Paul Hornung Award

OL Josh Grabowski
East-West Shrine Bowl 1000

DL Nelson Ropati
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year