HONOLULU – San Diego State’s Tupu Alualu (Honolulu), Myles Murao (Torrance, Calif./Mater Dei High) and Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli (San Diego/Mater Dei High) have each been named to the 2024 watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday. There are 96 players on the initial list, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Alualu makes the Polynesian watch list for the second consecutive season, earning a nod on the 2023 watch list. Entering his second season on The Mesa, the senior defensive lineman started all 12 games last season totaling 28 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. A Honolulu native, he prepped at Moanalua High School, where he starred for the Menehunes and helped lead the team to a Hawaii state playoff appearance in his final year of high school.
Murao makes his Polynesian watch list debut ahead of his junior season. Limited by injuries last year, he started six of the games he appeared in totaling 481 snaps on the offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus’ offensive rankings, he is the highest rated lineman returning to the Aztec roster. The Torrance native played two seasons at the University of Washington to begin his collegiate career before transferring to San Diego State prior to the 2023 campaign.
Ulugalu-Maseuli is also a two-time Polynesian watch list selection, earning a spot on the preseason list last year. The senior offensive lineman started all 10 games he appeared in during the 2023 campaign, totaling 652 snaps which ranked third most among the offensive line. In his four years as an Aztec, he has played 19 games and made 16 starts. He played high school ball at Mater Dei High in 2020, JSerra Catholic High in 2019 and Cathedral Catholic High in 2018.
The watch list candidates are selected based on past performance and future potential. Additions may be made as the 2024 season progresses.
San Diego State’s first season under Sean Lewis begins Aug. 31 at Snapdragon Stadium against Texas A&M-Commerce. The Aztecs will play six of their 12 games in 2024 at Snapdragon Stadium. Seven of SDSU’s 11 FBS opponents made a bowl game a year ago.
Season tickets for the 2024 campaign start at just $200 ($175 plus $25 Aztec Club Membership), only $33.33 per game. Note that there is also Stadium Excellence Gift attached to each ticket, which is a one-time tax-deductible gift that helps offset the building costs of the state-of-art Snapdragon Stadium, and is payable over three years (interest free).
Fans are encouraged to purchase season tickets with benefits featuring interest-free payment plans, pre-sale access for most third-party events, and discounts on merchandise at the team store, additional single-game tickets and food/beverage. Additionally, season-ticket members will have the ability to purchase discounted season parking, access to a personal account representative and the ability to transfer and resell tickets digitally.
To purchase your season tickets, click here. For the pricing chart, click here.
Aztecs on Preseason Watch Lists
July 18 – Mekhi Shaw (Wuerffel Trophy Nominee*)
July 23 – Bryce Phillips (East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List)
July 23 – Marlem Louis (East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List)
July 30 – Marquez Cooper (Maxwell Award*)
July 30 – Ryan Wintermeyer (Patrick Mannelly Award)
Aug. 1 – Kenan Christon (Paul Hornung Award*)
Aug. 6 – Marquez Cooper (Doak Walker Award*)
Aug. 15 – Tupu Alualu (Polynesian PotY)
Aug. 15 – Myles Murao (Polynesian PotY)
Aug. 15 – Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli (Polynesian PotY)
*indicates award is recognized by the NCFAA