Notre Dame Football: Irish snag 2021 Hawaiian linebacker Kahanu Kia

The Notre Dame football team continues to stockpile talent, this time adding Hawaiian linebacker Kahanu Kia, another huge get for the program

Another big one! On Thursday afternoon, the Notre Dame football program landed 2021 linebacker Kahanu Kia out of Hawaii. Kia hasn’t been able to have face to face contact with the staff, but he made a big effort to visit campus two weeks ago during the Clemson game.

For his recruitment, it definitely seemed like if he eventually made it to South Bend, all bets would be off, and Notre Dame would have a clear advantage. Well that happened, and he officially announced his commitment to the Irish on Thursday.

Kia is a Utah legacy, and many pegged him to follow in his fathers footsteps, but when the Irish offered back in September, it was only a matter of time they would overtake the Utes once he visited. It has been discussed that he would go on a mission trip for two years, but I think once the Irish offered he wanted to hold off on that and get to South Bend as soon as possible. That could change obviously but it seems like the Irish staff want him at Notre Dame as soon as possible.

At the moment, Kia holds 14 offers from the likes of Stanford, Utah, UCLA and many more.

Notre Dame Football: Irish snag 2021 Hawaiian linebacker Kahanu Kia

What will Kia bring to South Bend?

The 6’2 220 pound linebacker is going to bring that Hawaiian physicality. He’s an aggressive player who loves to create contact, someone who would thrive on special teams to start his career in Blue and Gold. He isn’t the fastest or highest-rated recruit, but the way he plays the game is hard to teach and find.

Kia is a very smart and impactful player who already shows he has the instincts to be really good. He will definitely benefit from getting in the strength program with Matt Balis, and will continue learning the linebacker position once he steps foot on campus, but he has the tools in the making to be another really good Hawaiian for the Irish.

With Kia committing to Notre Dame, there is now 22 commits in the class after the addition of cornerback Philip Riley Monday night ,and kicker Josh Bryan Tuesday evening. With ten on offense, one specialist and eleven now on defense, Kahanu Kia will be joining Prince Kollie in the linebacker room which makes these two a really nice pair for this recruiting class.

Clark Lea and Brian Polian wanted Kia and they got their guy. It was a nice job by the staff to bolster the linebackers moving forward and a solid addition to this already impressive group of pledges, from top to bottom.