The award is presented annually to the most outstanding senior high school football player of Polynesian ancestry. Tagovailoa is join by Henry To’oto’o, (LB), Faatui Tuitele (DL), Puka Nacua (WR) and George Halani (RB) on the finalist list. His older brother, Tua Tagovailoa, is a finalist for the Polynesian college football player of the year award.
Tagovailoa went 287-of-435 for 3,830 yards and 36 touchdowns during his senior season. He finished his career at Thompson High School with 7,504 career passing yards and 71 passing touchdowns. He also heped the Warriors to a state championship appearance, which they lost 52-7.