The BYU Football record books have a new addition.
Cougar quarterback Zach Kapono Wilson has been selected as a co-recipient of the 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, which was announced Tuesday.
Wilson shares the award with USC safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Since 2014, the award is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Wilson is of Hawaiian ancestry and Hufanga of Samoan ancestry.
“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors, we congratulate Talanoa and Zach on their accomplishments this season,” Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, said. “They are tremendous role models and a source of great pride for Polynesians everywhere.”
Wilson helped lead the Cougars to a 11-1 record and threw for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns in the 2020 season. The junior completed 73.4% of his passes — good for a new BYU record, previously held by Steve Young.
The Draper native, who finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting, also rushed for 255 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Hufanga, a Consensus All-American, led the team in tackles (62), interceptions (4) and forced fumbles (2) in 2020. He ranked third nationally in interceptions per game, 16th in forced fumbles per game and 19th in tackles per game.
Hufanga, who helped lead the Trojans to a 5-1 record, was also named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Due to the pandemic, the formal presentation of the award will be held at the 2022 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (Jan. 21, 2022), and will be recognized during the 2022 Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 22, 2022).
