Zach Wilson Named 2020 Polynesian College Football Co-Player Of The Year

PROVO, Utah – The accolades continue to roll in for former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson and his impressive 2020 season.

On Tuesday, Wilson, of Hawaiian ancestry, was selected as co-recipient of the 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. Wilson shared the honor with USC safety Talanoa Hufanaga, of Samoan ancestry.

Zach Wilson, of Hawaiian ancestry, named @PolynesianFBHOF Co-Player of the Year with USC’s Talanoa Hufanga.#BYUFootball #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/MdM9jXEeVP

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 12, 2021

“On behalf of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors, we congratulate Talanoa and Zach on their accomplishments this season,” said Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman Jesse Sapolu.  “They are tremendous role models and a source of great pride for Polynesians everywhere.”

Zach Wilson was one of the top players in college football in 2020

Wilson led BYU to an 11-1 record in 2020 while earning All-America honors and finishing No. 8 in the Heisman Trophy voting. The All-Independent First Team honoree threw for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions on the season.  He broke a BYU record, previously held by Steve Young, for completion percentage, completing 73.5 percent of his passes in 2020. He also rushed for 255 yards and 10 touchdowns.

WATCH: Special acceptance video by @BYUfootball quarterback Zach Kapono Wilson (@zachkapono1) after being named the 2020 Polynesian College Football Co-Player of the Year. 🏈🌴@BYUCougars @TotalBlueSports @Mitch_Harper @rakoto10 @Spencer_Linton @DaveMcCannKSL pic.twitter.com/Z6uMYRiuRZ

— Polynesian Football (@PolynesianFBHOF) January 12, 2021

BYU’s star signal-caller posted 11 different top-10 rankings in 2020. He was ranked No. 2 nationally in points responsible for (264), passing efficiency (196.4), and completion percentage (73.5); No. 3 in passing yards (3,692), passing touchdowns (33), and yards per pass attempt (10.99); No. 4 in points responsible for per game (22.0) and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback; No. 5 in passing yards per completion (14.95); No. 8 in total offense (328.8); and No. 10 in passing yards per game (307.7).

“What an honor it is to be recognized by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame,” said Wilson. “To represent my father, his family, and the Polynesian people. We didn’t grow up in Hawaii, but we were raised on Polynesian influence. My siblings and I were all given Hawaiian middle names and we grew up eating Spam, eggs, and rice. I’m so thankful to my parents, my siblings, and my teammates, and also to my auntie Dee for teaching us about the Hawaiian heritage. Thank you so much I can’t wait to get back to Hawaii for some body surfing and local food.”

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.