UTAH UTES

Two Utes Named Finalists For Polynesian College Football POTY

Dec 7, 2023, 10:37 AM

SALT LAKE CITY – Two standout Utah football players were named as finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. The Utes are the only team this year with two finalists.

Defensive end Jonah Elliss and safety/offensive weapon Sione Vaki made the final cut for the award that is given annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity in the sport.

Both Elliss and Vaki were tremendous contributors for the Utes in 2023, stepping up in ways that went beyond the call of duty while the team faced an unprecedented amount of injuries.

Utah Safety/Offensive Weapon Sione Vaki

Due to injuries stacking up for the Utes, Vaki stepped in and played some running back for Utah against the Cal Golden Bears showcasing the Utah safety’s ability to play both sides of the ball in 2023.

Vaki posted 15 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns in that game on offense, while adding four total tackles defensively.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KSL Sports (@kslsports)

Vaki also impressed playing both ways against the USC Trojans the following week where the versatile player was Utah’s leading receiver. He recorded 5 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns to lift the Utes to victory.

Against No. 5 Washington, Vaki produced four total tackles on defense and one timely sack to help keep the Utes within striking distance of the eventual Pac-12 Champions.

Offensively, Vaki produced four receptions for 67 total yards and one touchdown. His longest play of that day was his touchdown effort- a 53-yard catch with YAC.

Utah Defensive End Jonah Elliss

Originally slated to be second-string at the beginning of the year, Elliss was forced into early starting action in 2023 due to injuries and proved to be a force on the field.

Elliss’ efforts eventually moved him to the starting position and earned him the title of “Mayor of Sack Lake City”.

Elliss ended his season with 12 sacks which ranks first in FBS in sacks per game (1.20) in his 10 total games played. Elliss also racked up 16 tackles for loss and ranks fourth in FBS in TFL per game at (1.6).

The current “Mayor of Sack Lake City” has the highest sack total for the Utes since 2019 when former defensive end Bradlee Anae totaled 13 on the year. Elliss is currently tied for seventh all-time in single-season sacks at Utah.

Elliss produced a whopping 37 total tackles this year before his season-ending injury while also adding a forced fumble and three pass breakups. Elliss recorded a sack in four straight games and came away with multiple tackles for loss five times in 2023.

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on XInstagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Utah basketball's Keanu Dawes throws down dunk vs West Virginia...

Steve Bartle

Takeaways From Utah Basketball’s 72-61 Loss To West Virignia

Utah Basketball was on the road in Morgantown but fell 72-61 to the West Virginia Mountaineers, here are the takeaways from the game.

1 day ago

Utah basketball's Lawson Lovering dunk-attempt blocked by West Virginia...

Steve Bartle

Scoreless Final Minutes Doom Utah Basketball In 72-61 Loss To West Virginia

Unlike their previous game, Utah's final minutes were mostly scoreless as they watched West Virginia rebuilt a double-digit lead and win.

1 day ago

Utah's big men prepare for matchup against West Virginia...

Steve Bartle

How To Watch, Listen To Utah Basketball Vs. West Virginia

Utah basketball hits the road and will travel to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in a Saturday tilt, here's how to watch or listen.

3 days ago

kyle kuzma...

Tanner Tripp

Former Ute Kyle Kuzma Has New Chance To Thrive In Milwaukee Alongside Lillard, Giannis

Mixed in with some of the blockbuster trades was a transaction has a player with local ties on the move as former Utah Ute Kyle Kuzma was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Milwaukee Bucks.

3 days ago

Utah's Gabe Madsen knocks down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Colorado....

Steve Bartle

Takeaways From Utah’s 72-59 Win Over Colorado

Utah Basketball was back at home against the Colorado Buffs in a must-win game. Here are the takeaways from tonight's action.

4 days ago

The Madsen twins, Gabe and Mason, vs Colorado...

Steve Bartle

Late Scoring Surge Leads To Utah Basketball’s 72-59 Win Over Colorado

Utah basketball secured a comfortable 72-59 win over Colorado thanks to a late 14-2 run in the final minutes to build a comfortable margin.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two of the season were Jackson Maw from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week two were Faythe Stauffer from Riverton High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 2

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week two were Easton Hawkins from Lehi […]

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one of the season were Sam Romer from […]

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our winners for week one were Beckham Bayles from Cyprus High […]

...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week one were Jaxon McCuistion from Timpanogos […]

Two Utes Named Finalists For Polynesian College Football POTY