Penn State football offensive lineman Vega Ioane has been named a Polynesian College Football Player of the Year finalist, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

The annual award honors college football’s most outstanding player of Polynesian ancestry who demonstrates ability and integrity on and off the field.

Ioane helped lead Penn State through one of its most turbulent seasons in program history. As an anchor on the offensive line, Ioane added to his illustrious Happy Valley career with his first All-Big Ten First Team selection, joining Kaytron Allen as the two Nittany Lions to make the cut. He was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection last season and an honorable mention by the media in 2023.

The other finalists include Cal’s Jacob De Jesus and Cade Uluave, Utah’s Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, Arizona’s Noah Fifita, Oregon’s Iapani Laloulu, USC’s Makai Lemon and Jayden Maiava, and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.

No Penn Stater has ever won the award. First-round Carolina Panthers draft pick Tetairoa McMillan took the honor home for the 2024 season.

The winner will be announced on December 16. A formal presentation of the honor will take place at the 2026 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner on January 17, and the winner will be recognized on January 16 at the Polynesian Bowl.