Wisconsin football starting wide receiver Trech Kekahuna was included on the 2025 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List on Thursday.
Entering his third season as a member of the Badgers, Kekahuna accompanied 80 other players across 40 different NCAA Division I programs on the preseason watch list. The prestigious honor annually recognizes college football’s most outstanding player of Polynesian ancestry who embodies leadership and probity both on and off the gridiron.
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Notable award winners at the collegiate level include Marcus Mariota (2014), Tua Tagovalioa (2018), Penei Sewell (2019), Zach Wilson (2020) and Tetairoa McMillan (2024). Finalists for the 2025 nod will be shared on Dec. 9, and the victor will be announced on Dec. 16.
After suiting up as a depth option at wide receiver in 2024, Kekahuna projects to enter the 2025 season as the starting slot wide receiver alongside outside threats Vinny Anthony II and Jayden Ballard. As a redshirt junior, Kekahuna reeled in 25 catches for 339 yards in 12 appearances. Kekahuna’s most impressive performance arrived on Oct. 5 against Purdue. The Hawaii native’s six-catch, 134-yard, two-touchdown output propelled UW to a 52-6 triumph and even earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
With former wide receiver standout Will Pauling out of the wide receiver room, Kekahuna is now poised for even more deep-ball opportunities. New offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes abides by a ground-and-pound philosophy, so his workload will be interesting to monitor as the season progresses.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Trech Kekahuna on notable watch list 2025 season
