5-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava of Warren High School (California) is the 2022 winner of the Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year award. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honored him Saturday night, a day after being the Offensive MVP of the 6th annual Polynesian Bowl that aired LIVE on NFL Network.
Nico Iamaleava named Polynesian Football High School Player of the Year @nico_iamaleava8 @PolynesianFBHOF pic.twitter.com/OolZCdEvjP
— POLYNESIAN BOWL (@polynesiabowl) January 22, 2023
Related: Team Mauka wins Polynesian Bowl
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Iamaleava is of Samoan descent. He led the Warren Bears into the playoffs with a 9-2 record and was undefeated in league play. On the season, Nico threw for 1,726 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 399 yards and six more touchdowns.
Iamaleava is already enrolled at the University of Tennessee after signing during the Early Signing Period in December.
“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors, we congratulate Nico on an amazing season,” said Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman Jesse Sapolu. “We look forward to following his career because we know he will be a success and positive role model for our Polynesian youth.”
The Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding senior high school football player of Polynesian Ancestry.
Current San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Safety Talanoa Hufanga was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2017; BYU WR Puka Nacua & University of Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa were selected as co-players of the year in 2018; Oregon State QB DJ Uiagalelei was selected in 2019; Ohio State DE J.T. Tuimoloau was the recipient in 2020; and University of Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan was the 2021 Award recipient.
🌴 BREAKING NEWS 🌴
— Polynesian Football (@PolynesianFBHOF) January 22, 2023
NICO IAMALEAVA (@nico_iamaleava8) NAMED 2022 POLYNESIAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR 🏈 pic.twitter.com/YufrXNBqa9
