HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team celebrated the 2025 season with the Alec Waterhouse Memorial Awards Banquet, Sunday, at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, one day after closing out the regular season with a 27-7 victory over Wyoming.
 
The team's Most Valuable Player awards went to seniors Landon Sims (Offense), Peter Manuma (Defense), and Kansei Matsuzawa (Special Teams).
 
Sims, a running back from Gig Harbor, Wash., has a team-best 147 total touches for 778 scrimmage yards, including a team-high 523 rushing yards. He is averaging 5.29 yards per touch with five total touchdowns on the year.
 
Manuma, a safety from 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu, started all 12 games at safety and 42 of 48 over his four-year career. He leads the team with 72 total tackles (37 solo) this season and also has 4.5 tackles-for-loss and five pass breakups.
 
Matsuzawa, a kicker from Tokyo, Japan, gained national fame with his incredible story. On Saturday, he tied the NCAA mark for consecutive field goals to start a season (25) while also setting UH and Mountain West records for overall consecutive field goals made (26). His 25 field goals this season is also a program-best.
 
The Ben Yee Most Inspirational Award was shared by defensive linemen Jackie Johnson III and Tariq Jones. Johnson, a former walk-on from Honolulu, leads the team in sacks (7.5) and is among the Mountain West's top-graded defensive ends according to Pro Football Focus. Jones, an edge from New Orleans, La., has 22 tackles and two sacks on the year.
 
The two scout team awards went to freshman receiver Titan Lacaden of Kapolei, O'ahu and junior defensive back Riis Weber of Kailua, O'ahu. The Captain's awards were given to senior defensive lineman De'Jon Benton of Pittsburg, Calif., and senior linebacker Jalen Smith of Bakersfield, Calif.
 
2025 Award Winners
Captains Award: De'Jon Benton, Jalen Smith
Defensive Scout Team: Riis Weber
Offensive Scout Team: Titan Lacaden
Ben Yee Most Inspirational Awards: Jackie Johnson III, Tariq Jones
Special Teams MVP: Kansei Matsuzawa
Defensive MVP: Peter Manuma
Offensive MVP: Landon Sims