Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawaii football’s first consensus All-American, went undrafted by all 32 NFL teams. However, he has signed a three-year free agent contract to compete as a kicker for the Las Vegas Raiders. This marks a major milestone for both Matsuzawa and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Matsuzawa expressed a strong interest in playing at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium when the University of Hawaii played UNLV there on November 21. This was according to UH special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield. Las Vegas Raiders fans may remember that game as a pivotal moment.
“We wanted him to go to the Raiders. Even when we played UNLV at UNLV, he made a comment that this is where I want to play my pro football,” Sheffield said. “So it all just worked out. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Matsuzawa is expected to compete for the starting kicker position. Daniel Carlson, the Raiders’ kicker since 2018, entered free agency. It will be interesting to see how the Las Vegas Raiders special teams shape up next season.
Kansei Matsuzawa’s Background
Matsuzawa, from Japan, gained attention for his unconventional background, having learned to kick by watching YouTube videos, as well as for his consistency. He tied an FBS record by converting his first 25 field-goal attempts for UH in his senior season in 2025 and was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, which recognizes the nation’s top placekicker.
He made a 45-yard field goal and converted his only point-after attempt during UH’s game at Allegiant Stadium.
Matsuzawa was one of 13 players in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program’s 2026 class. NFL teams receive one roster exemption for IPP players from the start of the offseason program until the roster is reduced to 53 before the season begins.
He completed 27 of 29 field goal attempts in his final season at UH. He tried two attempts from beyond 50 yards, making one and missing one. The Las Vegas Raiders have shown a strong interest in international talent like Matsuzawa.
Sheffield acknowledged that concerns about Matsuzawa’s kicking distance before the NFL Draft Combine were due to coaching decisions.
“It’s not like we were worried about him kicking 50 yards. We just have an aggressive mentality, and it kind of hindered him a little bit, I guess, from showcasing his leg strength,” Sheffield said. “But the accuracy will always take over.”
Florida’s Trey Smack was the only kicker drafted this year when he was taken by the Green Bay Packers with the 216th overall pick to end the sixth round.
“It’s really a great opportunity for Kansei to go in there and truly, truly compete,” Sheffield said. “And I think that’s why the Raiders wanted him so much. … He said it all along, ‘wherever I go, I’m going to go take a job.’ That’s been his mentality. And how can you not support that?”
Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
