Houston Football linebacker Sione Fotu and defensive lineman Khalil Laufau secured spots on the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced.

Fotu joined the Cougars after three seasons of play at Utah, missing the 2021 and 2022 seasons while serving in a church mission. Last year, he played in eight games with three starts at linebacker, tallying 19 tackles, two pass breakups and a QB hurry in 176 defensive snaps. Overall, Fotu has appeared in 25 games (six starts) and collected 50 tackles and four passes defended.

Laufau, another member of the 2025 signing class for Houston, spent two years at Washington State before heading to the Bayou City. Last season, he posted an 80.0 Pro Football Focus run grade, which placed him 19th among Group of 5 interior linemen after tallying 16 tackles, including 5.0 for losses and 4.0 sacks during the 2024 campaign. Laufau has played in 19 career games, including three starts at defensive tackles, while earning 28 tackles, 5.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks.

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. Fotu and Laufau are two of six selections from a Texas school, with Houston being the only school in the state of Texas with multiple honorees.

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. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 17, 2026), and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 16, 2026).