Signed | Three-Star LB Kahanu Kia
Linebacker Kahanu Kia
Ranking
ISD: 89 - Three-Star
Composite: 85.4 - Three-Star
Vitals
6’2 - 220
Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Recruiter
Brian Polian, Clark Lea
Recruitment Rundown
It was a quiet recruitment for Kia as Notre Dame was one of his last offers with the Irish offering in August. Kia’s process quickly escalated as Notre Dame made him a priority and then he took a visit to South Bend in November. Despite not being able to have contact with the staff, Kia was able to get all the information he needed to make a decision. Kia took visits to Utah, UCLA and Stanford in addition to Notre Dame while he was on the mainland, but shortly after he returned to Hawaii, the three-star prospect announced his commitment to Notre Dame.
Former assistant coach Robby Toma
"Notre Dame will mold him into a position, but Kahanu has such a high motor that he'll be a threat coming off the edge. Seeing how big he's gotten in the last few years and he can put on some more weight, but also keep his speed.
"I think he'll do just fine if he's able to find that niche coming off the edge."
ISD expert Jamie Uyeyama
There is no way to watch Kia and not think of current Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau. It’s not just because of where both are from either. They just show similar instincts and fire on the field.
A lot of what I wrote about Liufau when he committed to Notre Dame is applicable to Kia as well. He’s the kind of kid who normally ends up ballin’ out for a program like Utah for multiple seasons while Irish fans wish they could have offered him.
That’s not an issue anymore. Notre Dame has made Hawaii a priority and they continue to land quality prospects from there. Kia is a bit more developed physically compared to Liufau and a bit further ahead as a potential inside linebacker. I think he has all of the traits to be a very good one for the Irish and he is right on the borderline of being a 4-star prospect for me.
He has the potential to develop into a starter for the Irish and a very good one. I see his future at Buck or Mike and believe he will get in the mix there after a year or two in the program.
Favorite quote to ISD
"I got to walk around campus and it was beautiful. This campus is special. We always hear about how when you're on campus, it's awesome, but when we were walking around, you felt it. This place is crazy.”
Junior Highlights