Upcoming Event: Football versus Nebraska on December 31, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.
Football
vs Nebraska
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
Fano Tabbed Polynesian College Football Player of the Year
12/16/2025 9:00 AM | Football
Utah offensive lineman adds another national accolade
HONOLULU — Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano has been named the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday.
Now in its 12th season, the award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Fano is the first Utah player to win the award and was selected out of nearly 100 players considered on the initial watch list, evaluated by a nine-member committee that includes former Utah head coach Ron McBride.
Fano, who is of Samoan ancestry, has received multiple national and Big 12 honors this season. Last week Fano was named the Outland Trophy recipient, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman, along with Walter Camp First Team All-American status. This week he has been named First Team All-America by the Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association. He also earned Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and First Team All-Conference recognition earlier in December.
Â
The junior and Spanish Fork, Utah, native started all 12 regular season games at right tackle. He has an 84.0 overall grade this season from PFF, ranking eighth in FBS. Fano has played in 37 games with 35 starts in his three seasons at Utah.
Fano blocked for an offense that was retooled in 2025, ranking seventh nationally during the regular season with 478.6 total yards per game. The team lit up the scoreboard with 40.9 points per game—sixth in the country—and led the Big 12 in third-down conversions (52.8%).
Utah had the best regular season rushing offense of any Power Conference program at 269.8 yards per game; the Utes enter bowl season needing just 27 yards and two touchdowns to break single-season program rushing records.
Â
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.  Â
Â
Now in its 12th season, the award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Fano is the first Utah player to win the award and was selected out of nearly 100 players considered on the initial watch list, evaluated by a nine-member committee that includes former Utah head coach Ron McBride.
Fano, who is of Samoan ancestry, has received multiple national and Big 12 honors this season. Last week Fano was named the Outland Trophy recipient, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman, along with Walter Camp First Team All-American status. This week he has been named First Team All-America by the Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association. He also earned Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and First Team All-Conference recognition earlier in December.
Â
The junior and Spanish Fork, Utah, native started all 12 regular season games at right tackle. He has an 84.0 overall grade this season from PFF, ranking eighth in FBS. Fano has played in 37 games with 35 starts in his three seasons at Utah.
Fano blocked for an offense that was retooled in 2025, ranking seventh nationally during the regular season with 478.6 total yards per game. The team lit up the scoreboard with 40.9 points per game—sixth in the country—and led the Big 12 in third-down conversions (52.8%).
Utah had the best regular season rushing offense of any Power Conference program at 269.8 yards per game; the Utes enter bowl season needing just 27 yards and two touchdowns to break single-season program rushing records.
Â
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.  Â
Â
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballFormer Utah Football Head Coach Urban Meyer inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, December 10
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Kyle Bonagura
Wednesday, December 03
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Yogi Roth
Tuesday, December 02
NSD26: Dylan Waters
Tuesday, December 02