Baylor Football’s Ika Named to 2022 Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List

WACO, Texas – Baylor football junior Siaki Ika has been named to the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List, as announced Thursday by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Ika is one of 85 players from 43 different FBS schools named to the list.

Ika, the son of Falakesi Kiola and Selu Loiola, was the 2021 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after collecting four sacks and six tackles for loss for the Bears last season. The Salt Lake City, Utah, native has already been named a preseason All-American and All-Big 12 selection, along with spots on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy and Bednarik Award watch lists.

The winner of the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 15. Five finalists will be unveiled on Dec. 1. The presentation of the award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner on Jan. 21, 2023, and the winner will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 20, 2023.

2022 BAYLOR FOOTBALL PRESEASON HONORS

Dave Aranda, Head Coach

• Dodd Trophy Watch List

Dillon Doyle, LB

• All-Big 12 (Big 12 Media)
• All-Big 12 First Team (Athlon, Phil Steele, Pick Six Preview)
• All-Texas Second Team (DCTF)
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

TJ Franklin, DL

• All-Big 12 Third Team (Athlon)

Jacob Gall, C

• All-America Third Team (PFN)
• All-America Fourth Team (Athlon, Pick Six Preview)
• All-Big 12 (Big 12 Media)
• All-Big 12 First Team (Athlon, Phil Steele, Pick Six Preview)
• All-Texas Second Team (DCTF)
• Rimington Trophy Watch List
• Outland Trophy Watch List

Connor Galvin, OL

• All-America First Team (Athlon, Pick Six Preview)
• All-America Second Team (Action Network, Phil Steele, PFN)
• All-Big 12 (Big 12 Media)
• All-Big 12 First Team (Athlon, Phil Steele, Pick Six Preview)
• Best Offensive Lineman in Texas (DCTF)
• All-Texas First Team (DCTF)
• Outland Trophy Watch List
• Lombardi Award Watch List

Gabe Hall, DL

• All-Big 12 Second Team (Pick Six Preview)
• All-Big 12 Third Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Isaiah Hankins, K

• All-Big 12 Fourth Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

Siaki Ika, DL

• All-America First Team (PFN, Pick Six Preview)
• All-America Third Team (Phil Steele)
• All-America Fourth Team (Athlon)
• All-Big 12 (Big 12 Media)
• All-Big 12 First Team (Athlon, Phil Steele, Pick Six Preview)
• Best Defensive Lineman in Texas (DCTF)
• All-Texas First Team (DCTF)
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
• Outland Trophy Watch List
• Bednarik Award Watch List
• Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List

Matt Jones, LB

• All-Big 12 First Team (Phil Steele)

Taye McWilliams, RB

• All-Big 12 Third Team (Athlon)

Grant Miller, OL

• All-Big 12 Second Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Big 12 Third Team (Athlon)

Christian Morgan, S

• All-Big 12 Third Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Big 12 Fourth Team (Athlon)

Jaxon Player, DL

• All-America Second Team (Walter Camp)
• All-Big 12 Fourth Team (Athlon)

Issac Power, P

• All-Big 12 Third Team (Phil Steele)
• All-Big 12 Fourth Team (Athlon)
• Ray Guy Award Watch List

Blake Shapen, QB

• Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

Ben Sims, TE

• All-Big 12 (Big 12 Media)
• All-Big 12 First Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)
• All-Big 12 Second Team (Pick Six Preview)
• All-Texas First Team (DCTF)
• Mackey Award Watch List
• Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Al Walcott, S

• All-Big 12 Fourth Team (Athlon)