MaxPreps Polynesian Bowl Player of the Year nominees

By Zack Poff Dec 6, 2018, 4:00pm

DJ Uiagalelei, Puka Nacua and Alabama commit DeMarcco Hellams lead the list of candidates.

Video: MaxPreps Polyneisan Bowl Player of the Year nominees
DJ Uiagalelei, Puka Nacua and Henry To'oto'o lead the nominees.

The 2018 high school football season is nearing an end so that means we will be releasing our All-American teams and awards in the next few weeks.

Up first is the MaxPreps Polynesian Bowl Player of the Year award and the only players eligible are guys selected for the 2019 and 2020 Polynesian Bowl.

We will be announcing the winner on Dec. 18 from these 10 nominees (in alphabetical order).



MaxPreps Polynesian Bowl Player of the Year nominees
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
Jirehl BrockQuincy (Ill.)
The 2019 Iowa State commit was named the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year winner for a reason. The 4-star running back rushed for 2,100-plus yards and 33 touchdowns adding another four touchdowns receiving. He was also a big-time player on defense. He averaged 215.5 yards per game and better than three rushing touchdowns a night.

Conover will go down as one of the winningest quarterbacks in Arizona state history. He capped off his senior season winning his third consecutive 6A state championship and ended his postseason career 12-0. He finished 2018 with over 3,000 yards passing and 38 touchdowns. The most impressive stat about the 2019 BYU commit is what he did during his playoff career — 3,241 yards passing and 37 touchdowns.

The 2019 Alabama commit was an impact player on all three phases for the DMV power in 2018. Hellams ended the year with nine interceptions and eight touchdowns for DeMatha during his senior campaign. He was a Hail Mary away from bringing home a WCAC title to Hyattsville and expect to see his name on the All-American team when it drops in early January.

Jarrett is one of two players selected from the Class of 2020 to make the cut. He is one of the most explosive playmakers in high school football and made a bunch of big plays for St. John's in 2018. The Cadets played one of the toughest schedules in the country and the 4-star wide receiver balled out in every big game and helped lead the D.C. power to a spot at No. 13 in the Top 25.

The 2019 USC commit had one of the best single-seasons for any wide receiver in high school football history. He set Utah state records in receptions (103), yards (2,336), and touchdowns (26) in 2018. The 4-star playmaker ended the year fifth all-time in most receiving yards in a season and also led Orem to its second consecutive 4A state championship.

The 5-star defensive tackle is one of the top recruits from the Class of 2019 for a reason. He is an absolute beast. Sopsher has been the leader for a big-time defense and is impossible to block for opposing lineman. Amite has shutout eight of its last 12 opponents and are one win away from winning the Class 2A state title.



The 2019 Alabama commit led Thompson to its first state championship game appearance since 1982 and even though they fell short of bringing home the state title that doesn't get in the way of the monster senior campaign Tagovailoa had. He ended the 2018 season with nearly 4,000 yards passing and 35 touchdowns. The 4-star quarterback also had over 400 yards rushing and six more scores. It was announced earlier today too his older brother Tua Tagovailoa is one of the five finalists for the 2018 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.

The 4-star linebacker has been much more than just a defensive player during his high school career. He has been a big-time running back for the Northern California power over the last two seasons and is one of the best leaders in the country. He has been a vital piece for the Spartans leading them to their 27th North Coast section title and has De La Salle in the CIF Open Division state championship with a matchup against No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) awaiting on Saturday at Cerritos College (Norwalk).

St. Louis had one of the best defenses in high school football this season and one of the main reasons why was because of its 4-star defensive tackle — Tuitele. The 2019 Washington commit is one of the top defensive players in the country and is easily one of the best leaders in high school football. He led the Crusaders to a 12-0 record, third consecutive state title, and a spot at No. 7 in the Top 25.

The top-rated quarterback from the Class of 2020 had a monster junior season and was just named the California Gatorade Player of the Year winner. He threw for nearly 3,500 yards and had 48 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. The 5-star recruit also rushed for 300-plus yard and six more scores leading St. John Bosco to a 13-1 record in 2018 and a spot at No. 3 in the Top 25 rankings.