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SALT LAKE CITY — The wait is almost over for Skyridge center Logan Sagapolu.
The No. 7 center in the Class of 2019 as rated by 247 Sports, the 6-foot-3, 340-pound Sagapolu will announce his commitment during the 2019 Polynesian Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The moment will be special for Sagapolu, not just because he will choose between BYU, Utah and Oregon in furthering his collegiate career, or because it will cap the four-year high school career of a converted left tackle who led the brand-new Falcons to back-to-back Class 5A state championship games in his career.
Sagapolu's father Tavita played at Hawaii, in the same stadium will the teenager will suit up with some of the best Polynesian football prospects of the Class of 2019.
"It gave me a lot of time to think about all my options, where I wanted to go," Sagapolu told USA Today HS Sports. "For me to be Polynesian and (announce) it in the stadium is really cool to me."
Sagapolu won’t be the only Utahn playing in Saturday’s postseason bowl game in Honolulu, Hawaii. Former BYU football stars Reno Mahe and Vai Sikahema took a cruise around the islands topping at the Polynesian Cultural Center, before the bowl game.
Polynesian legends Reno Mahe and Vai Sikahema cruising at the @Polynesia Cultural Center #FootballPolynesia 🌴🤙 pic.twitter.com/TOkHJjuwKS
— Polynesian Bowl (@polynesiabowl) January 17, 2019
Four-star receiver Puka Nacua, the record-breaking wide out from Orem High who has committed to USC, was named the co-Polynesian Bowl Player of the War during a ceremony Friday night. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Nacua was honored alongside Alabama quarterback signee Taulia Tagovailoa.
Nacua, who also earned Mr. Football honors from the Deseret News, was the Gatorade Utah player of the year, and All-America Bowl offensive player of the year after setting state records with 103 receptions, 2,336 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns while leading the Tigers to back-to-back Class 4A state titles.
Bingham linebacker Junior Tafuna, a Utah commit, and East defensive tackle Apu Ika, who has signed with LSU, will also represent Team Makua.
They’ll be joined by Utah commit Sataoa Laumea, a four-star offensive guard from Eisenhower High in California; Utah signee Marist Talavou, a four-star guard from Saint John Bosco in California; and BYU signee Eli Unutoa, an offensive lineman commit from Kapa’a, Hawaii.
Team Makai will be led by Chandler (Arizona) quarterback Jacob Conover, who has signed with BYU but will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The team will also feature Utah State commit Akili Arnold, a cornerback from Mission Viejo, California; BYU signee Ethan Erickson, a tight end at Kahuku High in Hawaii; and Bingham teammates Lolani Langi and Simote Pepa, a pair of uncommitted defensive standouts who hold offers from Utah, Wisconsin, Washington, Boise State and Utah State, among others.
The game will air live at 10 p.m. MT Saturday, Jan. 19 on CBS Sports Network.
Polynesian Bowl prospects with ties to the state of Utah
Team Makai | Pos | High school | College |
---|---|---|---|
Akili Arnold | CB | Mission Viejo (CA) | Utah State commit |
Jacob Conover | QB | Chandler (AZ) | BYU signee |
Ethan Erickson | TE | Kahuku (Hawaii) | BYU signee |
Lolani Langi | OLB | Bingham (Utah) | Uncommitted |
Simote Pepa | DT | Bingham (Utah) | Uncommitted |
Puka Nacua | WR | Orem (Utah) | USC commit |
Team Makua | Pos | High school | College |
---|---|---|---|
Apu Ika | DT | East (Utah) | LSU signee |
Sataoa Laumea | OL | Eisenhower (California) | Utah commit |
Logan Sagapolu | OL | Skyridge (Utah) | Uncommitted |
Junior Tafuna | LB | Bingham (Utah) | Utah commit |
Marist Talavou | OL | St. John Bosco (California) | Utah signee |
Eli Unutoa | OL | Kapa'a (Hawaii) | BYU signee |
Editor's note Orem's Puka Nacua was named co-Polynesian Bowl player of the year during a ceremony Friday night. This story has been updated to reflect that development.