Kahanu Kia Chasing Full Potential as Notre Dame Eyes Championship Run

Kahanu Kia’s college football journey hasn’t followed a straight line, but it’s starting to come into focus.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker arrived at Notre Dame as part of the 2021 recruiting class and saw limited action as a freshman, appearing in two games.

Shortly after, Kia stepped away from the program for two seasons to serve a mission trip in North Carolina.

When he returned to South Bend, another challenge awaited. Kia underwent ACL surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.

Finally back on the field in 2025, the Hawaii native appeared in all 12 games, logging 33 defensive snaps. While the role was modest, the season proved meaningful.

“I just feel like the growth throughout the year and getting better each week was a big thing for me,” said Kia. “Just realizing I can get better.”

This spring offers Kia an opportunity to show the staff what he can bring to the table. The Irish defense is missing a few pieces at the second level and it’s opened the door for more reps. 

It’s also an opportunity for Kia to truly master Chris Ash’s defense. 

“I think being more comfortable and everyone's had a year under their belt,” Kia said. “You're just more used to it. So now you're just fine-tuning the details instead of just starting from scratch.”

Kia’s mission gave him perspective on life beyond Notre Dame and the college football bubble. The perspective helped him get through his injury and fully embrace the life he has in South Bend. 

“You never know what the day's going to bring you when you're talking to complete strangers,” explained Kia. “You feel protected, but it is still just like you're just completely out of your comfort zone. Then you come here, all I've got to do is play football and go to school, which obviously takes work and commitment.” 

That perspective has helped Kia stay grounded, even in a crowded linebacker room where others might look elsewhere for playing time.

“It all goes back to people,” said Kia. “Jack Kiser said it after the Natty. It's all about the people here. I think it's just easy to take things for granted, but I think when you just kind of look around this college football landscape, I don't think there's a place like this with a culture like this or the head coach like this and coaching staff like this.”

While recovering from injury in 2024, Kia had a front-row seat to Notre Dame’s run to the national championship game. What stood out wasn’t just the results, but the daily standard required to get there.

“I think the intensity of the practices, especially once we started getting rolling after the NIU game,” Kia stated. “Seeing the level up of intensity that we brought to meetings and practices all the way through the national championship was like, 'Man, if we can keep this and be a part of something like this every day, we can do great things.' It's like, ‘Man, I want to be part of that standard.’”

Another meaningful part of Kia’s journey is sharing it with his younger brother, Ko’o, now a linebacker for the Irish as well. It’s the first time they’ve been able to play together, which they won’t forgt anytime soon. 

“That's been special,” Kia explained. “Everyone's like, ‘Oh, it'd be so good for him to be with you.’ I think it's been just as much or even more for me having him up here.

“It's a reminder of the standard that I need to keep in all aspects of my life and just to be an example to him. He's also been there for me.” 

As for 2026, Kia isn’t setting lofty individual benchmarks. His focus is simpler anf aligned with the culture Marcus Freeman has built inside the Gug.

“I just want to reach my full potential,” said Kia. “I love what Coach Free says and that takes work. It takes extra time and commitment. I think as long as I'm just being the best player I can be for this team and maximizing my role, whatever that is every given week, then I can help this team be the best it can be and reach our full potential, which I think is a National Championship.”

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