Wyoming DE Esaia Bogar Earns Spot on Prestigious Polynesian Award Watch List
- Jeff Bugher
- 18 minutes ago
- 3 min read
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Esaia Bogar made a name for himself by living in opposing backfields before arriving at Wyoming. Now, after a season in Laramie, the Cowboys’ senior defensive end is getting national recognition heading into 2026.
Bogar has been named to the Polynesian College Player of the Year Award Watch List, putting the 6-foot-2, 255-pound pass rusher among 69 players from 36 Division I programs in contention for one of college football’s top honors celebrating Polynesian players.
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Bogar appeared in 10 games with one start for the Cowboys. He finished the season with 13 total tackles. He finished the season with seven solo stops and six assisted tackles. He also added 1.5 tackles for loss along with a sack. He recorded a career-high four tackles in his Cowboy debut against Northern Iowa. He recorded his first career sack against Fresno State. He added two tackles and a half tackle for loss against Colorado State.
Senior defensive end Esaia Bogar enters the 2026 season looking to build on his first year with the Cowboys. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Rancho Cucamonga, California, native arrived at Wyoming following a standout career at Riverside City College, where he established himself as one of California’s top junior college defenders. In two seasons at Riverside, he recorded 23 sacks and 40 tackles for loss while earning two All-State selections and National Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Head football coach Jay Sawvel referred to Bogar, among others, when he said he anticipates that his defense is clearly the best since he’s been on staff since 2020.
“Part of the reason that I feel like that's a strong possibility is the fact that we are stronger and bigger up front than we've ever been. We've never lined up with 250 and 255-lb defensive ends that can move and can do different things.”
“The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award has become a defining measure of excellence within the Polynesian football community," said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman, Co-Founder, and Inductee of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. “This is true because it aligns with our cultural beliefs of respect, humility, work ethic and pride that represents and defines us.”
The 2026 Watch List was compiled based on past performance and potential for the upcoming season. Additional players will be added to the Watch List as the year unfolds. The finalists and winner will be selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, comprised of Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson (Chairman, former NFL player and Inaugural Inductee), Coaches Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, former NFL player and Inaugural Inductee Olin Kreutz, Inaugural Inductee and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, sportscaster Neil Everett, NFL Network Chief National Reporter Steve Wyche, and former NFL Player and Class of 2023 Inductee Manti Te`o.
Finalists for the 2026 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be unveiled on December 8th, 2026 and the winner will be announced on December 15th, 2026. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 16th, 2027), and they will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl (January 15th, 2027).
This article is based on a University of Wyoming Athletics press release.
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