Kansei Matsuzawa was inspired to learn how to kick a football by attending a 2018 Raiders game at Oakland Coliseum.
Now he will get a chance to play for the storied organization.
Matsuzawa was one of several players to agree to sign with the Raiders as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the NFL draft on Saturday night, including two of top pick Fernando Mendoza’s former college teammates.
It’s a full-circle moment for the 27-year-old Japan native, who was working as a waiter at a steakhouse and trying to figure out a career path when he visited the United States with his family at age 20.
That experience inspired him to want to compete on the field, so he bought a football upon his return home and started watching YouTube videos to learn how to kick.
He eventually got a chance to play at Hocking College in Ohio and then walked on at Hawaii in 2023. Matsuzawa broke records at the school and will now get a chance to compete with Matt Gay to be the kicker for the Raiders.
“The Tokyo Toe” made 27 of 29 field goals for Hawaii this season and matched a Mountain West record by making 26 consecutive kicks at one point in his career.
He was the first consensus All-American in program history and was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award.
Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargan didn’t want to comment extensively on Matsuzawa’s status until it could be made official under league rules, but did confirm he would be eligible to sign under the International Pathway Program.
“He was a really productive kicker at Hawaii,” Yeargan said.
The Raiders also added Indiana running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams. Both were key members of the Hoosiers’ supporting cast around Mendoza as the team went undefeated and won a national championship.
Mendoza’s quarterback room got a bit more crowded on Saturday night, as well.
The Raiders signed Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson and Missouri State’s Jacob Clark.
They already had veterans Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell on the roster.
Three BYU players have also agreed to deals to join the Raiders ahead of rookie minicamp, which starts later this week.
Wide receiver Chase Roberts, offensive lineman Isaiah Jatta and safety Tanner Wall will all be part of the Raiders rookie class.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
