Matt Araiza

Matt Araiza (born May 16, 2000) is an American football placekicker and punter for the San Diego State Aztecs.

Matt Araiza
San Diego State Aztecs – No. 2
PositionPlacekicker/Punter
Class
Redshirt
Junior
Personal information
Born: (2000-05-16) May 16, 2000
San Diego, California
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolRancho Bernardo
(San Diego, California)
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school

Araiza grew up in San Diego, California and attended Rancho Bernardo High School, where he played football and was a hurdler on the track and field team.[1] He made 37 field goals and was a two-time All-America selection as a placekicker.[2] Araiza committed to play college football at San Diego State over offers from UMass and Montana.[3]

College career

Araiza redshirted his true freshman season while serving as the backup to All-Mountain West Conference kicker John Baron II.[4] He became the team's placekicker as a redshirt freshman and made a school-record 22 field goals on 26 attempts and was named honorable mention All-Mountain West.[5] Araiza made 10 of 14 field goal attempts in SDSU's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and was named honorable mention All-Mountain West for a second straight season. He also assumed punting duties during the team's opening game against UNLV and averaged 49.8 yards on five punts.[6] Araiza was named the Aztecs first-string punter in addition to his kicking duties going into his redshirt junior season and was named a mid-season All-American by ESPN at the position.[7][8]

Personal life

Araiza is of Mexican descent through his father, Rico, who was born in the country.[9]

References
  1. Sherman, Rodger (October 29, 2021). "The Punter That Was Promised Has Arrived". The Ringer. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  2. "Rancho Bernardo kicker longs for a college try". The San Diego Union-Tribune. November 8, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. "Record-setting RB kicker scores full ride to SDSU". The San Diego Union-Tribune. December 27, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  4. "Aztecs' new kicker Araiza among players to watch at Fan Fest scrimmage". The San Diego Union-Tribune. August 16, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  5. Kenney, Kirk (December 21, 2019). "Aztecs football notebook: Kicker Matt Araiza sets SDSU single-season field goal record". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  6. Vannini, Chris (October 27, 2021). "San Diego State's Matt Araiza is going viral one 80-yard punt at a time, plus latest in conference realignment: G5 Drive". The Athletic. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  7. "Column: Aztecs' NCAA punting leader Matt Araiza 'can get a ton better'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  8. "Aztec Matt Araiza, Rancho Bernardo High Alum, Makes ESPN's Midseason All-America Team". Times of San Diego. October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  9. Uggetti, Paolo (November 10, 2021). "Why college football's must-see attraction is a punter from San Diego State". ESPN. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
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