The Record-Breaking Kicker Bringing Precision to Fresno State Football
After an outstanding 2025 season at Ashland University, Manaki Watanabe brings exceptional field-goal accuracy, proven long-range ability, and All-America recognition to the Fresno State Bulldogs.
In football, a single kick can change the direction of a game. When an offense stalls, a defense creates a turnover, or the clock winds down, the responsibility often falls to the kicker. For Manaki Watanabe, those moments represent an opportunity to turn preparation into points.
The Fresno State Bulldogs kicker arrives with an impressive collegiate résumé. During the 2025 season at Ashland University, he converted 21 of 22 field-goal attempts, establishing himself as one of the most accurate kickers in NCAA Division II. His performance earned All-America recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and made him a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award.
Now wearing No. 38 for Fresno State, Watanabe faces a new challenge as he continues his college football career at a higher level of competition. His previous production provides a strong foundation, particularly his accuracy, demonstrated kicking range, and experience handling kickoff responsibilities.
For a specialist whose success is measured by execution, Watanabe has already established an impressive standard. His next chapter offers an opportunity to build on that record in a Fresno State uniform.
- Full Name: Manaki Watanabe
- Sport: American football
- Position: Kicker
- Height: 6 feet, 1 inch
- Weight: 175 pounds
- Birthplace: Novi, Michigan
- High School: South Lyon East High School
- Current College: Fresno State University
- Previous College: Ashland University
- Team: Fresno State Bulldogs
- Jersey Number: 38
- Listed Class: Sophomore
- College Career: Ashland University, 2024-2025; Fresno State, 2026
Watanabe grew up in Novi, Michigan, and attended South Lyon East High School, where he participated in both football and soccer. He earned four varsity letters in each sport, demonstrating sustained involvement in two athletic disciplines that demand coordination, balance, and precise movement.
His high school football statistics established an early record of consistency. Watanabe converted all seven of his recorded field-goal attempts and all 20 extra-point attempts. He also recorded touchbacks on 75 percent of his kickoffs, according to his collegiate player biography.
These results provided a foundation for his development as a specialist. Placekicking requires repeatable technique, accurate contact, and control over the ball's trajectory. Kickoffs introduce another challenge, requiring a kicker to combine distance with effective execution.
Watanabe's participation in football and soccer formed part of his early athletic background. His progression from a productive high school kicker to a collegiate specialist whose performance would eventually attract national recognition.
Watanabe continued his football career at Ashland University, where he spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He redshirted in 2024 before making a significant impact during the following campaign.
His 2025 performance became the defining statistical season of his collegiate career to date. Watanabe made 21 of 22 field-goal attempts, finishing with a conversion rate of approximately 95.5 percent. His production ranked among the best in Division II, leading the classification in both field goals made and field-goal percentage, according to Fresno State's player biography.
He also converted 39 of 40 extra-point attempts, demonstrating consistency across two essential scoring responsibilities.
One of his most notable achievements came against Walsh on November 1, 2025, when he successfully converted a 59-yard field goal. The kick established his career long and demonstrated his ability to score from considerable distance.
Watanabe contributed on kickoffs as well, recording 64 attempts for 3,843 yards and 22 touchbacks during the 2025 season. Those numbers reflect his involvement in another important aspect of special teams, where kicking performance can influence field position.
His season earned recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation, which selected him for its All-America Team. He was also named a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, which recognizes outstanding collegiate placekickers.
These achievements strengthened his résumé and preceded his move to Fresno State for the 2026 season. The transition gives him an opportunity to build on his established production against a different level of competition.
Accuracy is one of the clearest strengths demonstrated by Watanabe's statistical record. Converting 21 of 22 field-goal attempts in a season reflects a high level of consistency, while his 39 successful extra points demonstrate reliability in additional scoring situations.
His 59-yard field goal against Walsh also establishes a documented example of his long-range capability. Successful kicks from that distance can give a coaching staff another scoring option when an offensive drive stops well outside the red zone.
Kickoff production adds another dimension to his profile. Watanabe's 22 touchbacks in 64 attempts demonstrate his contribution to special teams beyond placekicking.
His recorded achievements nevertheless provide a clear picture of a specialist who combined accuracy, distance, and kickoff production during his standout season at Ashland.
Watanabe's principal collegiate accomplishments came during the 2025 season.
His 21 successful field goals on 22 attempts established an exceptional conversion rate. His 39 successful extra points further demonstrated his scoring consistency, while his 59-yard field goal against Walsh marked a significant individual milestone.
His All-America selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation recognized his performance nationally. Becoming a Fred Mitchell Award finalist added another distinction to his résumé.
Together, these achievements established Watanabe as a productive collegiate kicker and provided a foundation for his next opportunity at Fresno State.
A kicker's role requires a particular kind of consistency. Unlike positions that involve frequent contact with the ball, kicking opportunities may be separated by long stretches of game action. When an opportunity arrives, execution becomes the priority.
Watanabe's collegiate progression includes a redshirt season at Ashland followed by a highly productive campaign in 2025. His statistical improvement in terms of game participation and scoring production is documented.
For the 2026 season, Watanabe joined Fresno State as a kicker, wearing No. 38. Listed at 6 feet, 1 inch and 175 pounds, he brings experience from two seasons at Ashland, including a redshirt year and an outstanding 2025 campaign.
His previous production provides a foundation, but the move to Fresno State introduces a new competitive environment. His continued development will be measured through his performances, consistency, and role within the Bulldogs' special-teams unit.
Field-goal accuracy, extra-point conversions, and kickoff execution remain the principal statistical measures through which his contributions can be evaluated. His future achievements will depend on his performance during the season and the opportunities he receives.
Watanabe's collegiate career remains in progress, making his long-term legacy at Fresno State a story still being written.
His accomplishments at Ashland have already established a meaningful record. All-America recognition, a Fred Mitchell Award finalist selection, and an exceptional field-goal conversion rate distinguish his 2025 season.
For a football program, a dependable kicker can provide an important scoring option when touchdowns are unavailable. Successful field goals and extra points contribute directly to the scoreboard, while kickoffs form another essential part of special-teams execution.
Watanabe's next challenge is to translate his previous success into consistent production for Fresno State. His existing achievements provide a strong starting point, while his future impact will be determined by what he accomplishes on the field.
Manaki Watanabe arrives at Fresno State with a proven collegiate record built on accuracy, range, and measurable production. His 2025 season at Ashland, highlighted by 21 field goals in 22 attempts, a successful 59-yard kick, and national recognition, established him as a specialist capable of delivering impressive results.
The transition to Fresno State represents the next stage of his football career. Rather than relying on reputation alone, he has an opportunity to demonstrate his ability through each field goal, extra point, and kickoff.
For Watanabe, the foundation has already been established. His next chapter will be defined by the consistency and execution that first brought his kicking ability national attention.
