Washington State’s Fred Mauigoa returns to Polynesian Player of the Year watch list

For the second straight year, Washington State starting center Fred Mauigoa has earned a spot on the watch list for the Polynesian College Player of the Year.

Mauigoa, a third-year starting center for the Cougars, is a native of Iliili, American Samoa, and was one of 62 players named to the 2019 watch list.

The senior was also named to the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which recognizes the country’s top center, and to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list last month. Mauigoa has made 26 consecutive starts for the Cougars since replacing Riley Sorenson at center and was named All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention in 2018, leading an offensive line that allowed just 13 sacks.

The 2019 Polyensian watch list is littered with fellow players from the Pac-12 Conference. Mauigoa joins Utah’s Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu, Darrin Paulo, Viane Moala, John Penisini and Mika Tafua, UCLA Devin Asiasi and Boss Tagaloa, USC’s Palaie Gaoteote, Talanoa Hufanga, Jordan Iosefa, Vavae Malepeai, Brandon Pili, Jay Tufele and Marlon Tuipulotu, Oregon’s Austin Faoliu and Penei Sewell, Oregon State’s Noah Togiai and Gus Lavaka, Arizona’s Donovan Laie, Washington’s Benning Potoa’e and Colorado’s Jalen Sami.

The Cougars have had a steady diet of players on the watch list over the years and former defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa won the award two years ago.