Washington Football LB Named to 2026 CFP Polynesian POY Watch List
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Another preseason watch list accolade came in on Thursday for Washington Huskies fifth-year linebacker Jacob Manu from the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
Manu, a 5-foot-10, 225-pound starting linebacker, was one of 68 players to be recognized for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year 2026 watch list, marking the second consecutive year that the Anaheim, California native has made the list.
Former Husky offensive lineman Paki Finau, who transferred to BYU this past offseason, also made the list for the second time in his college career after doing so as a freshman in 2024, when linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala and the late defensive end Voi Tunuufi were also recognized.
Manu was recently selected as UW's nominee for the 2026 Campbell Trophy, awarded annually as the "academic Heisman" since 1990 to the college football player who "recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership."
Last season, the former Servite High School standout made five starts while preserving his redshirt season—though in the wake of the NCAA approving a new five-for-five eligibility model that rendered that moot—after transferring in from Arizona, where he began his career under Jedd Fisch in 2022.
Manu made 24 total tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup in five starts for the Huskies, four of which came against Big Ten opponents and the last in the Bucked Up LA Bowl against Boise State. Now back for his fifth and likely final year of college football, Manu is expected to be a central force on defense for second-year coordinator Ryan Walters and inside linebackers coach Brian Odom.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Football LB Named to 2026 CFP Polynesian POY Watch List
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