BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football defensive lineman Mackavelli Malotumau has been named to the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
Presented annually, the award honors the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who exemplifies exceptional ability and integrity both on and off the field. This year's list features 81 players from 40 different NCAA Division I programs, and Malotumau is one of three representatives from Conference USA.
Malotumau joined the Hilltoppers during the offseason after two years at Nevada. He appeared in 19 games during his time with the Wolf Pack, posting 25 total tackles and one sack. He played in 12 games with eight starts during the 2024 season and finished with 14 tackles. The year prior, he appeared in seven games with two starts and finished the season with 11 tackles, including a sack. Malotumau started his career at Utah Tech, where he played in 10 games as a true freshman and made eight tackles, with three for loss and a pair of sacks.
Malotumau has already been named a 2025 Phil Steele Preseason CUSA All-Conference selection this summer.
The 2025 Watch List was compiled based on past performance and potential for the upcoming season. Additional players will be added to the Watch List as the year unfolds. The finalists and winner will be selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Finalists for the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled Dec. 9, and the winner will be announced Dec. 16. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on Jan. 17, 2026, and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 16, 2026.
The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the 2025 season with a Week 0 CUSA game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
For all the latest on WKU Football, follow @WKUFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the WKU Football Facebook page.
Western Kentucky University Athletics
- Champions Climb Here
- WKU Athletics
- Athletic Director
- Academic Services
- Annual Report
- Athletic Communications
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Athletic Training
- Big Red
- CLIMB Program - NIL
- Compliance
- Facilities
- Financial Reports
- For Students
- Student Employment
- Forms/Requests
- Book Big Red
- Donation Requests
- Site Feedback
- For Fans
- Hilltopper Highlights
- Gameday Promotions
- Alumni Tailgates
- Big Red's Rascals
- Basketball Gameday
- Football Gameday
- Mobile Tickets
- Travel Center
- Tickets
- Give
