Between current and former players, along with coaches like Joe Salave’a, the Polynesian Pipeline is alive and well in Tucson. For the second year in a row, the Wildcats have one of the top Polynesian players in the country. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita is a finalist for the Polynesian Player of the Year Award.
Fifita is one of 10 players and one of two quarterbacks, alongside USC’s Jayden Maiava, selected as a finalist. The First Team All-Big 12 selection has throw for 2,963 yards and 26 touchdowns (two away from the program’s single-season record), while throwing just five interceptions on the year. He also set the all-time passing touchdown record this season and leads Arizona with 70 career scores.
Fifita looks to be the second consecutive Wildcat to win the award, joining wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who won it in 2024. With a win, Arizona would join Alabama, Oregon, and USC as programs with two award winners. It would also be the first time in the award’s history that a school has had back-to-back winners if Fifita take home the honor.
The winner will be announced on December 16, with an award ceremony scheduled for January 17 at the Polynesian Hall of Fame dinner.
Danny Gonzales snubbed
Danny Gonzales orchestrated one of the biggest defensive turnarounds in college football this season, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot as a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.
The five finalists include Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, and defensive coordinators Bryant Haines (Indiana), Corey Hetherman (Miami), Matt Patricia (Ohio State), and Shiel Wood (Texas Tech).
Under Gonzales, the Wildcats boast the nation’s top turnover margin at +16. Arizona is also second nationally in turnovers with 28 takeaways on the year. The Wildcats, which have the 17th-ranked defense in the FBS, held 10 opponents to under 200 yards passing this year. Arizona’s 18.9 points per game are also the lowest since 1998, the first time the UA went to the Holiday Bowl.
Early transfer portal news
While the NCAA transfer portal doesn’t officially open until January 2, the day Arizona plays SMU in the Holiday Bowl, the Wildcats have at least one confirmed player that will be looking for a new home.
After spending the last two seasons in Tucson, offensive lineman Michael Wooten will enter the portal. Wooten, who began his career at Oregon, appeared in 18 games for the Wildcats, making five starts. Wooten began the year as Arizona’s starting left guard, but lost the job to Chubba Maae, who spent the 2024 season on defense for the UA. He logged a total of 230 snaps this season, finishing with a 53.2 season grade per PFF.
Tight end Keyan Burnett and defensive lineman Jarra “Bear” Anderson are also expected to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens in January.