National honor aside, UH kicker Kansei Matsuzawa is already a winner

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Hawaii special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield is not waiting for the envelope to open to declare a winner.

“I will say this, and I mean no disrespect, he’s the best kicker in the country, ” Sheffield said of Japan-reared Kansei Matsuzawa. “We don’t need an award to tell us that. And he doesn’t need an award to tell him that. He knows he’s the best kicker in the country. We know he’s the best kicker in the country.”

Matsuzawa, Aidan Birr of Georgia Tech and Tate Sandell of Oklahoma are the finalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best college kicker. Sheffield accompanied Matsuzawa to the organization’s awards banquet in West Palm Beach, Fla., this past Monday. The Groza winner will be announced live on ESPN this Friday at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

“For him to be a finalist is such an honor, ” Sheffield said. “And to share that stage with two other great kickers from the University of Oklahoma and Georgia Tech, I mean, what more can you ask for ?”

Birr had two walk-off field goals—a 55-yarder to beat Clemson as time expired and a 23-yarder to top Boston College—and a tying kick against Wake Forrest to force overtime. Sandell was 15-for-16 from at least 40 yards, including perfect on all seven from 50-plus yards.

But it was Matsuzawa, a former walk-on who initially learned kicking techniques from YouTube videos, who became an international star. Matsuzawa converted his first 25 field-goal attempts this season to lead all FBS kickers in accuracy. His streak ended with a 30-yard miss in the fourth quarter of the regular-season finale.

“It’s like watching your kid grow, ” said Sheffield, who offered Matsuzawa a walk-on invitation after watching highlight videos of Hocking College games. “Anybody who’s a parent understands that. It’s just cool to see where he’s come from. From the very first day he stepped on campus (in July 2023 ) to who he is now as an adult. And just how he’s matured and grown up and stepped into the role of being the starting kicker (and ) being a leader of our football team.”

Recalling his initial meeting with Matsuzawa, head coach Timmy Chang said, “if you asked me if he was going to be one of the best kickers in the country when it was said and done, I mean, I wouldn’t have imagined it. But he knew. And that’s what matters. He knew. He knew this day would come if he just focused on being himself and the process. Hat’s off to him.”

Matsuzawa said he enjoyed meeting Birr and Sandell. He also enjoyed learning about Groza, who died on Nov. 29, 2000. Groza was nicknamed “The Toe.” Matsuzawa is promoted as the “Tokyo Toe.”

Matsuzawa said he looks forward to playing in the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. He hinted that he might be participating in a postseason all-star game.

There is a possibility Matsuzawa, who competed as a senior this year, might have another season of NCAA eligibility because he was on a junior-college roster for two years prior to enrolling at UH. Whether that waiver is applicable or not, Matsuzawa is ready to pursue his dream of playing professional football.

“I don’t want to miss the opportunity, ” Matsuzawa said. “I think it’s a really good time to leave for the NFL. I’m chasing my dream, not money.”

Sheffield said : “When you’re in a situation like Kansei’s in—it looks like it’s all but guaranteed he’s going to play in the NFL—I think you’ve got to strike while the iron’s hot. We’re very supportive of his decision to go ahead and go to the NFL. What he’s built and the brand he’s built around himself and what he’s done for the University of Hawaii and put us in the national spotlight, it’s time for him to take that next step and strike while that iron’s hot. He’s going to go to the NFL and perform, just like he’s done out here.”

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