Florida State University Athletics
Toafili Earns Spot on Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List
8/19/2021 12:05:15 PM | Football
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State running back Lawrance Toafili was named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List, it was announced Thursday.
Toafili, a redshirt freshman from St. Petersburg, Florida, appeared in eight games last season as a true freshman and accumulated 476 all-purpose yards, courtesy of 356 yards and two touchdowns rushing and 120 yards on 12 receptions. His average of 9.62 yards per carry led the ACC and ranked second in the NCAA among backs with at least 4.0 rushes per game. He was named FSU’s co-Offensive Freshman of the Year for his performance in 2020 and was chosen as the ACC’s Rookie of the Week after gaining 99 yards and his first collegiate touchdown in FSU’s 41-24 defeat of Jacksonville State. Toafili had a season-high 117 rushing yards with a 73-yard touchdown run in the 56-35 win over Duke.
In July, Toafili was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List. Named for the former SMU great, the Doak Walker Award is given to the nation’s best running back.
Presented by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, the Polynesian Player of the Year Award has been presented since 2014. Five finalists will be named on November 30 with the winner crowned December 14.
Florida State has 13 representatives on 11 national award watch lists released so far in 2021. Joining Toafili on the Doak Walker Watch List was running back Jashaun Corbin, linebacker Amari Gainer was on the Bednarik, Butkus and Lombardi Award watch lists, defensive end Jermaine Johnson II was on the Lombardi Award Watch List, tight end Camren McDonald earned Mackey Award, Wuerffel Trophy and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team watch lists honors and quarterback McKenzie Milton is on the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien and CFPA National Performer of the Year watch lists.
Florida State opens its 2021 campaign by hosting Notre Dame on Sunday, Sept. 5. The season opener will air on ABC with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Season and single-game tickets are available here. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the FSU Ticket Office at 850-644-1830 or by contacting Seminole Boosters customer service representatives.