Arizona could have back-to-back Polynesian College Football Player of the Year winners, after star quarterback Noah Fifita was named a finalist on Tuesday.
Former Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan became the first Wildcat to receive Polynesian College Football Player of the Year honors last season.
Fifita joined Cal wide receiver Jacob De Jesus, Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, Penn State offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane, Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and Cal linebacker Cade Uluave.
The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year will be officially announced on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Fifita, who was a Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honorable mention, was recently named a first-team All-Big 12 quarterback. Fifita is the third all-time Arizona quarterback to be named to an all-conference first team — the first in 50 years. Fifita joined Bruce Hill, who was an All-WAC first-team selection in 1975, and Ted Bland, a three-time All-Border Conference selection from 1933-35.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) skims past the reach of Kansas defensive tackle Kenean Caldwell (97) picking up yards on a run up the middle during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, Nov. 8, 2025, in Tucson.
Fifita and McMillan are the only Wildcats to receive All-Big 12 first-team honors.
Fifita passed for a career-high 2,963 yards, 26 touchdowns and five interceptions in the regular season — a season after tossing 12 interceptions. Fifita has the third-most passing yards in the Big 12 behind Robertson and TCU's Josh Hoover, but has fewer interceptions (5) than Robertson (12) and Hoover (13).
Fifita's 26 passing touchdowns are a career-high and the fifth-most in a season by a UA quarterback. He needs three more passing touchdowns to set Arizona's single-season touchdown record.
Fifita currently owns Arizona's record for the most career passing touchdowns (70), which he set in Arizona's upset win over No. 25 Cincinnati last month.
Fifita is the first-ever Wildcat to receive Territorial Cup MVP honors multiple times since the award was first given out in 2001. If Arizona wins its upcoming bowl game, Fifita will be the only player to quarterback two 10-win teams at Arizona.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita drops back to pass during the first half against the Cougars on Oct. 18, 2025, in Houston.
No. 17 Arizona faces SMU for the 46th Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Friday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m. on Fox.
