Blue and Gold Illustrated

March 2021

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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44 MARCH 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY TODD D. BURLAGE When the time finally came for Kahanu Kia to make a decision and end his long-distance and long-last- ing recruiting journey, the standout Hawaiian linebacker surprisingly chose the unlikeliest and most chal- lenging option when he picked Notre Dame. A "double" legacy of the Uni- versity of Utah — where both of Kia's parents went to school and his fa- ther, Nate, played defensive line from 1993-96 — Kahanu always dreamed of following in his d a d ' s f o o t s t e p s and playing for the Utes. S t a n f o r d a n d U C L A — t w o California schools where several of Kia's Honolulu Pu- nahou High School classmates are en- rolled — were also attractive, closer-to- home options. N o t r e D a m e ? Forty-five-hundred miles? No surfing? "It was a hard decision, but I knew that picking Notre Dame would definitely take me out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to accept that challenge," explained Kia, wise beyond his 18 years. "There is such a super-high standard for football and academics. I felt like I was choosing the harder path, in a way, but the more reward- ing one as well." Kia will begin the first of a two- pronged journey at Notre Dame in June when he joins his football com- rades. From there, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, Kia reached an agree- ment with the Irish coaches that will allow him to spend the 2021-22 school year on campus before tak- ing a two-year break from school and football to perform his Mormon faith mission. If the plan holds, Kia — who is expected to redshirt as a freshman in 2021 — would rejoin the Irish pro- gram for his second season in 2024 upon completing his mission. "I just felt like getting my feet wet and experiencing not only the foot- ball side, but also the academic side, was the best plan," said Kia, who believes spending a year at Notre Dame will help calm any longer- t e r m a p p r e - hension upon his re-arrival. "I just want to experience col- lege so I'll know what I'm com- ing back to." If Kia's Pu- n a h o u H i g h S c h o o l a l m a mater sounds f a m i l i a r , i t should. Puna- h o u a n d t h e H a w a i i a n I s - lands in general have become a player pipeline to Notre Dame. L i n e b a c k e r M a n t i Te ' o , wide receiver R o b b y To m a and the late de- fensive lineman Kona Schwenke are all products of Punahou. Former Irish captain Alohi Gil- man, current senior defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, junior linebacker Marist Liufau (also from Punahou) and freshman defensive end Jordan Botelho highlight a more recent list of Hawaiian standouts at Notre Dame. Proud and grateful, Kia embraces the Hawaiian heritage Notre Dame has sowed during the last 12 years. "I am proud to follow in the foot- steps of guys who have obviously left some type of impact at Notre Dame," Kia reflected. "I know that this is the standard I'm going to have to live up to, and it goes along with the challenge of going to Notre Dame. "I'm super excited and I wouldn't have it any other way." ✦ Hawaiian Linebacker Kahanu Kia Follows An Unexpected Path Both of Kia's parents attended the University of Utah, but instead of following in their footsteps he opted to "accept the challenge" of going to Notre Dame. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM KAHANU KIA Linebacker 6-1 · 210 Punahou H.S. Kaneohe, Hawaii RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 38 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 55 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 39 5 * Ranked as OLB STATISTICS • His senior season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. • As a junior, he recorded 64 total stops, 10 tackles for losses, four sacks, three forced fum- bles, two fumble recoveries and four passes broken up. NOTABLE • Born on Aug. 27, 2002. • Selected to play in the 2021 Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, but the game was canceled. • 2019 Interscholastic League of Honolulu All- Open Division honorable mention. • His father, Nate Kia, played for the Utah Utes from 1993-96. • Was at one time coached by former Notre Dame wide receiver Robby Toma. • From the same high school as former Irish linebacker Manti Te'o and Toma. • High school teammate of current Irish line- backer Marist Liufau. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Nov. 19, 2020. • Took self-guided tours of finalists Notre Dame, UCLA, Utah and Stanford in November. • Was on campus during the weekend the Irish defeated Clemson 47-40 in double overtime. • Plans to take a two-year Mormon mission trip after spending one year at Notre Dame. • Recruited by special teams coordinator Brian Polian. 2021 PROJECTION • Kia is a likely redshirt candidate, but could find a home on special teams during his true freshman campaign. THEY SAID IT Former Notre Dame wide receiver and Hawaii native Robby Toma: "I think the kid is tremen- dous; it shows on his film. He's a hustle guy, and he'll always end up somewhere in the camera. He's always around the ball and has the instincts. "He reminds me of Marist Liufau a lot when Marist was in high school. The best way I can describe Kahanu is a savage." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "He displays the speed, quickness, long arms and tenacity needed to become an effective linebacker. He can bend off the edge and shows good closing speed. He is violent with active hands and does a great job of playing off blocks and finding the ball."

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