Wake Forest Athletics
Dallas Afalava Named to 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watchlist
8/20/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
Afalava is one of 69 college football student-athletes from 36 different schools under consideration.
HONOLULU – Wake Forest football senior defensive lineman Dallas Afalava has been named to the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watchlist, as announced by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame on Thursday morning.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame College Football Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. The award has become one of the most prestigious in all of College Football, and is a testament to the tremendous impact Polynesian student-athletes are having in college football today.
Afalava, who was also named to the preseason watchlist last year, enters his senior season as one of the key leaders of a Demon Deacon defensive line that combined for 290 tackles, including 57 tackles-for-loss 25.5 sacks, during the 2025 season.
The Seattle, Wash., native started all 13 games for the Deacs, finishing his first season in Winston-Salem with 32 tackles, 11 solo efforts, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hurries, a pass breakup, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and an interception.
Afalava logged two games with five or more tackles, including a career-high six tackles in Wake Forest's upset win over No. 19 Virginia to help the Demon Deacons secure bowl eligibility. He also added a sack and forced fumble against the Cavaliers.
Afalava capped off the season by logging three tackles and 1.5 sacks in the Demon Deacons' victory in the Duke's May Bowl.
Overall, Afalava finished the 2025 season as the eighth-best pass-rushing lineman in the ACC by PFF.
Dallas Afalava Career Honors
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. There are currently 50 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
About The adidas Polynesian Bowl
The adidas Polynesian Bowl is the premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation's top ranked high school seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, Nico Iamaleava, Dakorien Moore, and Husan Longstreet. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame College Football Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. The award has become one of the most prestigious in all of College Football, and is a testament to the tremendous impact Polynesian student-athletes are having in college football today.
Afalava, who was also named to the preseason watchlist last year, enters his senior season as one of the key leaders of a Demon Deacon defensive line that combined for 290 tackles, including 57 tackles-for-loss 25.5 sacks, during the 2025 season.
The Seattle, Wash., native started all 13 games for the Deacs, finishing his first season in Winston-Salem with 32 tackles, 11 solo efforts, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hurries, a pass breakup, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and an interception.
Afalava logged two games with five or more tackles, including a career-high six tackles in Wake Forest's upset win over No. 19 Virginia to help the Demon Deacons secure bowl eligibility. He also added a sack and forced fumble against the Cavaliers.
Afalava capped off the season by logging three tackles and 1.5 sacks in the Demon Deacons' victory in the Duke's May Bowl.
Overall, Afalava finished the 2025 season as the eighth-best pass-rushing lineman in the ACC by PFF.
Dallas Afalava Career Honors
- 2026 Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List
- 2025 Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia's greatest players, coaches, and contributors. Its permanent home is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center and was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma`a Tanuvasa. There are currently 50 inductees. For more information, visit PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
About The adidas Polynesian Bowl
The adidas Polynesian Bowl is the premier all-star game played annually in Honolulu, Hawai`i that features 100 of the nation's top ranked high school seniors of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike – many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL. Past MVPs include AJ Epenesa, Puka Nacua, Travis Hunter, Nico Iamaleava, Dakorien Moore, and Husan Longstreet. The game is broadcast live and in primetime on NFL Network. For more information, visit PolynesianBowl.com.
Players Mentioned
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