Washington State center Fred Mauigoa earns spot on Wuerffel Trophy watch list

Washington State’s third-year starting center, Fred Mauigoa, made a second preseason watch list Thursday, joining 92 other college football players on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list.

The award annually recognizes a FBS player who “best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.”

Mauigoa, a senior who’s appeared in 30 career games for the Cougars, has been the team’s starting center since 2017 – replacing Riley Sorenson at the position – and made the Rimington Trophy watch list for the second straight season earlier this week.

The Iliili, American Samoa, native was named All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention last season and was also recognized on the Polynesian College Player of the Year watch list – an honor he could earn again as a senior.

Mauigoa has started in 26 straight games for the Cougars and earned the team’s “Bone Award” last season for his performance in a nonconference win over Eastern Washington.

Before coming to the Palouse, the friendly and soft-spoken Mauigoa carried a 4.0 GPA at Tafuna High School in American Samoa.