The Tokyo Toe is Las Vegas bound.
Kansei Matsuzawa, the former University of Hawai‘i star kicker who taught himself how to kick via YouTube, has signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
As a senior in 2026, Matsuzawa finished as a finalist for the Lou Groza award, given to college football's top kicker. After starting the 2025 season with a game-winning kick against Stanford, Matsuzawa went on to make his first 25 field goal attempts of the season, finishing the year 27-for-29 on field goals and a perfect 40-for-40 on extra points.
Matsuzawa made history in various ways for the Rainbow Warriors, becoming the program's first consensus All-American. By signing with the Raiders, he also became the first player from Japan to sign with an NFL team through the International Pathway Program (IPP).
Earlier in the draft, 2020 Kapolei graduate De'Zhaun Stribling was the 33rd pick overall, getting selected by the San Francisco 49ers. He was the first pick of Day 2, as well as the first pick of the second round.
In addition to Matsuzawa, a bevy of players with Hawai‘i ties signed with NFL teams immediately following the draft:
- Saint Louis alumnus and Notre Dame defensive lineman Jordan Botelho signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Moloka‘i native and Kansas State defensive tackle Uso Seumalo signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
- Kamehameha-Maui alum and Ole Miss safety Kapena Gushiken signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Saint Louis alum, Arizona offensive lineman and former Hawai‘i left tackle Ka‘ena Decambra signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
- Former University of Hawai‘i receiver and Incarnate Word standout Jalen Walthall signed with the Houston Texans.
- Former Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy student and Houston running back Dean Connors signed with the Los Angeles Rams.
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
