Matsuzawa's Stellar Performance Earns Him UH's Second Associated Press All-American Honor
University of Hawai'i placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa has achieved another remarkable milestone, becoming the second player in the program's history to be selected for the prestigious Associated Press All-America first team. This achievement follows closely on the heels of his groundbreaking feat as the first UH player to earn first-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation just last week.
Matsuzawa, a native of Tokyo, Japan, has made history by becoming the first Rainbow Warrior to be recognized by the Associated Press since wide receiver Greg Salas earned third-team honors in 2010. His exceptional performance has also made him the first UH player to receive Midseason All-America honors from the Associated Press.
The Associated Press All-America team is a prestigious recognition, voted on by 52 media members across the country, all of whom are part of the AP Top 25 voting panel. This team is one of five All-America teams that collectively form the NCAA's annual consensus team, alongside the Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Sporting News, and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Matsuzawa's outstanding season has already seen him named to two of these five All-America teams, with the remaining three teams set to be announced this week. His exceptional performance has also earned him a finalist spot for the prestigious Lou Groza Award, which ultimately went to Oklahoma's Tate Sandell.
Matsuzawa's field goal success rate of 25-of-26 in the regular season further cements his exceptional skills. He has been recognized by several other All-America teams, including CBS Sports' first team, showcasing his versatility and impact across different platforms.
All-America Teams:
- Walter Camp – First Team
- Associated Press – First Team
- CBS Sports – First Team
- The Athletic – Second Team
- Sports Illustrated – Second Team
- Sports Info Solutions – Second Team
- USA Today – Second Team
- On3 – Second Team
