Rainbow Warriors add highly touted kicker from Texas

The University of Hawaii football team added a specialist to its plans, securing a 2020 scholarship commitment from a Texas high school kicker.

Matthew Shipley of Liberty Hill High told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he will sign a letter of intent on Dec. 18, the first day of the early-signing period for NCAA football prospects.

“It was a decision made by me and my family,” Shipley said. “We prayed about it. I researched the school. I really fell in love with it. I decided to commit there.”

Shipley drew attention after performing at the Texas Spring Showcase and Chris Sailer Kicking camps. In a text to the Star-Advertiser, Sailer praised Shipley as hitting an “excellent D-1-level ball on field goals off the ground. His ball gets up quick and he has 55-plus-yard range. His kickoffs are strong, college ready.”

Kohl’s Kicking rated Shipley as the nation’s No. 5 kicker of the 2020 class.

Shipley said he had heard from Texas A&M, Memphis and Washington. He said the Rainbow Warriors made a scholarship offer several days ago.

Shipley was born and reared in Texas. Liberty Hill is about 35 miles from Austin. He said he is following in the cleat-steps of his brother, Michael Shipley, a kicker at West Texas A&M. The younger Shipley was a cornerback as a freshman and sophomore before focusing on kicking and punting.

Shipley said he trains under Scott Blanton, who was with the Washington Redskins for four seasons through 1998. “He helped me with my technique and everything,” Shipley said. “It just went from there.”

Shipley said he was able kick a football 73 yards in a practice. He said he is comfortable as both a kicker and punter.

“The scholarship is for kicking,” Shipley said. “If I do well and prove myself, they can use me in a punting position.”

Ryan Meskell, UH’s No. 1 kicker, will be a senior this season.

Shipley is the fifth player to make an oral commitment for the Warriors’ 2020 class. The others are slotback/running back Kilohana Haasenritter of Hilo, offensive lineman Jake Tualagaloa of Mililani, wideout Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala of Campbell, and linebacker Ezra Evaimalo of Kamehameha.