Notre Dame LB Kahanu Kia Will Miss 2024 Season

Notre Dame sophomore linebacker Kahanu Kia made his return to South Bend in January following a two-year mission in North Carolina. 

The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder went through spring ball and reacclimated to the college football grind, but Kia will miss the 2024 season after tearing his ACL in June during summer workouts according to head coach Marcus Freeman.

Kia, who has a previous ACL injury, had surgery the week of the injury. 

The Hawaii native appeared in two games as a true freshman and recorded four tackles against Navy in 2021. 

It’s an unfortunate injury for Kia as he needed reps to catch up to speed, but his mission likely helped prepare him to deal with the adversity. 

“A lot of times missionaries will say it’s the best two years,” Kia said in February. “It certainly was that, but it also was a challenge. You go through hard things. You’re stretched mentally, spiritually, emotionally. From there, you can grow. I know I grew for sure in the person that I am and the things that I believe, things that pertain to football and things that pertain just to life. It’s only been a month since I finished, but I’ve already seen the ways that I‘ve changed. I’m so grateful for it.”

Notre Dame still has depth at linebacker as Jack Kiser, Drayk Bowen, Jaylen Sneed, Jaiden Ausberry and Kygnstonn Viliamu-Asa makeup one of the nation’s most athletic groups at the second level. 

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