Manaki Watanabe, Fresno State K: the 2026 season story
Manaki Watanabe is a kicker for Fresno State (Pac-12). He ranks 39th of 261 kickers in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every kicker on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked kicker, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Manaki Watanabe's strongest measure is made from 40+ at 7, 8th of 143 (the average is 4). Even his lowest-ranked one is good: field goals over expected at +0.12, 44th of 143 (the average is +0.03).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His made from 40+, 7, ranks 8th among 143 ranked kickers.
Against every kicker
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked kickers he sits, on average, in the 90th percentile for volume and 70th for efficiency.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 8 games, Manaki Watanabe's best came in week 3 at San José State and his quietest in week 9 against Oregon State.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every kicker on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Manaki Watanabe is 26th of 143 FBS kickers and 2nd of 8 in the Pac-12. Next up nationally is Gianni Spetic of Texas, 0.01 ahead on the index.
Kickers like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Lucas Carneiro of Ole Miss.
