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The University of Utah Athletics
Vaki, Elliss Named Finalists For Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year
12/7/2023 9:12 AM | Football
HONOLULU – University of Utah Football landed two players on the list of finalists for the 2023 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year with both Jonah Elliss and Sione Vaki earning spots.
Vaki and Elliss are among 10 finalists for the award, presented each year by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Elliss, who is a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Award, caused chaos for opposing offenses when he was on the field, ranking first in the Power Five in sacks per game (1.20) with 12.0 total sacks. He also ranks fourth in the country in tackles for loss per game (1.6) with 16.0 total TFL, racking up 37 total tackles and three pass breakups in 10 games in 2023.
Vaki has been the Swiss army knife for the Utes this season, starting all 12 games at safety while also doubling as a running back in seven contests. He was a three-time selection to the Paul Hornung Award weekly honor roll, recording 51 total tackles on defense (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) while also producing 317 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 203 receiving yards (3 TDs).
Both Vaki and Elliss earned first-team All-Pac-12 this season along with various All-America selections including CBS Sports (Elliss), USA Today (Elliss), College Football Network (Elliss) and Sports Illustrated (Vaki).
UP NEXT
Utah is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
Vaki and Elliss are among 10 finalists for the award, presented each year by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Elliss, who is a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Award, caused chaos for opposing offenses when he was on the field, ranking first in the Power Five in sacks per game (1.20) with 12.0 total sacks. He also ranks fourth in the country in tackles for loss per game (1.6) with 16.0 total TFL, racking up 37 total tackles and three pass breakups in 10 games in 2023.
Vaki has been the Swiss army knife for the Utes this season, starting all 12 games at safety while also doubling as a running back in seven contests. He was a three-time selection to the Paul Hornung Award weekly honor roll, recording 51 total tackles on defense (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) while also producing 317 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 203 receiving yards (3 TDs).
Both Vaki and Elliss earned first-team All-Pac-12 this season along with various All-America selections including CBS Sports (Elliss), USA Today (Elliss), College Football Network (Elliss) and Sports Illustrated (Vaki).
UP NEXT
Utah is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
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