'21 HI LB Kahanu Kia (Notre Dame Signee)

[Luckylucci]

Regardless of the mission ... does anyone else not see a high D1 linebacker when they watch his film? Don’t mean to shit on the kid too much but he moves more like a defensive end in space. Would have loved to have seen some senior highlights to see if there was a big improvement over the last 12 months.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/jamieuyeyama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamieUyeyama</a> takes a look at Notre Dame's newest LB commit Kahanu Kia. <a href="https://t.co/3Edrp1jGmP">https://t.co/3Edrp1jGmP</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/1329514940147920911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jamie U always does a good job.

As far as MO and a projection, I wouldn't project him to be a 1st or 2nd day LB. I do believe he lacks foot speed to have that type of ceiling. But, I do think he's a fluid athlete and the ceiling to be a productive LB at the collegiate level. I don't see stiff hips or shoulders that inhibit change of direction. I also think its easier to increase explosiveness than it is to increase agility and flexibility. Especially, as guys naturally grow and gain weight. As Lea explained before, they can try to make them more explosive they cannot try and make them longer. Lastly, I tend to account for how big this kid is already. At 17-18, he's a solid and long 6'2, 215-220 lbs. This isn't a guy that's going to need 2-3 years to get the weight on. For him, I'd think it'd be more about getting more explosive and maintain weight. For example, has anyone noticed D. Hayes the last month, his play has improved, right? I thought he looked noticeably slimmer than the start of the season so I went and checked the roster, they have him down to 258. And he's back to the old quick Hayes from his sophomore year.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Welcome to Notre Dame Kahanu!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[317Irish]

About 10 posts from now, this guy is going to be like 95 pounds by 2023. Y’all have me scared for his life, let alone the roster spot he’s taking!

 

[zelezo vlk]

Just gonna throw it out there that BYU lives off these kids taking a 2 year mission then returning as 24-25 year old seniors.

I feel like BYU pulls some strings to get their kids in better locations, keeping in mind their needs as a student-athlete. Meanwhile Stanford's Davis Mills (sp?) is down to like 195 lbs.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I like it that it seems low risk. I can't think of one player from the islands that has not been productive at ND. If he takes a mission, so be it. It also keeps ND's brand thriving on the island. Welecome to ND Kahanu.

 

[calvegas04]

Not a huge fan of this pick up and I hope he proves me wrong.

As far as mission go I have a couple buddies that went on missions. One to Paris and another to Hawaii.

 

[phillyirish]

Lol some of you are reacting like he is taking the spot of some 5* linebacker who could potentially commit. Trust me if there was one, the staff would find a spot for him regardless of Kia’s commitment.

Obviously, the temporary lifting of player counts due to COVID make this a moot point anyway, but it reminds me of the talk we used to have about scholarship counts and how any specific 3* might affect that: When was the last time we actually maxed out the 85 man limit and had to turn away a decent recruit?

 

[IRISHMAN]

Hard to get excited about a kid taking a mission who may or may not return to Notre Dame or not be the same player after he does return.

I agree. he'll be at ND his freshman season so I doubt he contributes very much, then will return to ND for what would be his senior season in 2024. so he may have to spend that season learning the defense and get back into playing shape. so Kia may not be contributing until the 2025 season.

 

[BobbyMac]

Just moved WAY up my list.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am so grateful for my country!! It is not perfect but it is the greatest nation on earth and I am so thankful for the freedom, opportunity and people in it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/givethanks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#givethanks</a></p>— Kahanu Kia (@KahanuKia) <a href="https://twitter.com/KahanuKia/status/1331389422076522496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[SonofOahu]

Nate (dad) is an absolute legend in Hawaii. I wore #88 because of him. I am obviously excited by this news. I think Kahanu will turn out to be a fine player. This is a great family; they will represent ND well.

 

[ThePiombino]

Just moved WAY up my list.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am so grateful for my country!! It is not perfect but it is the greatest nation on earth and I am so thankful for the freedom, opportunity and people in it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/givethanks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#givethanks</a></p>— Kahanu Kia (@KahanuKia) <a href="https://twitter.com/KahanuKia/status/1331389422076522496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Amen to this, brother!

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Thought I read he won't be taking a mission if he went to ND?

 

[ThePiombino]

Thought I read he won't be taking a mission if he went to ND?

Yeah, it's been mentioned on here a few (hundred) times lol

 

[dublinirish]

Amen to this, brother!

lol a poster on the trump thread called his home state a shithole about two weeks ago

 

[BobbyMac]

lol a poster on the trump thread called his home state a shithole about two weeks ago

Besides the things you've seen on postcards, it pretty much is. And I was born in Gary Indiana so I'm an expert.

 

[BeauBenken]

Signed.


Everyone expected to sign today has done so.

 

[dublinirish]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/mattfreemanISD/status/1392467485870501896?s=20[/TWEET]

Will be taking his mission after Freshman year

 

[BobbyMac]

Hmmm... How does this end well Mr. Badger?

 

[Rack Em]

Hmmm... How does this end well Mr. Badger?

About 40 lbs too light and .5 seconds too slow

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Hmmm... How does this end well Mr. Badger?

We need an "Agree, but Dislike" button.

 

[IrishLion]

We need an "Agree, but Dislike" button.

Just gonna embed the Lamar Odom gif as an option for a canned response to certain things

 

[BobbyMac]

Kia will get used on every ST snap of the year, go on his mission and graduate from a school in Utah.

Is that a hot take? Or is it a room temperature with the windows open in Sand Diego take?

 

[Luckylucci]

Kia will get used on every ST snap of the year, go on his mission and graduate from a school in Utah.

Is that a hot take? Or is it a room temperature with the windows open in Sand Diego take?

Agreed. And, with how LB recruiting is going, it's going to take some special talent to crack with depth chart going forward.

With all this talk about the '22 LB class, we need to remember Kollie will be a year ahead of the '22 class locking down a spot for a couple/few years. Burnham, Kollie, and Sneed. WTF! That's the type of stuff Marcus Freeman has dreams about, lol.

 

[BobbyMac]

Agreed. And, with how LB recruiting is going, it's going to take some special talent to crack with depth chart going forward.

With all this talk about the '22 LB class, we need to remember Kollie will be a year ahead of the '22 class locking down a spot for a couple/few years. Burnham, Kollie, and Sneed. WTF! That's the type of stuff Marcus Freeman has dreams about, lol.

That and his new 2-6-3 defense. #LinebackerCoachMoves.

 

[beryirish]

Just gonna embed the Lamar Odom gif as an option for a canned response to certain things

You mean Alonzo Mourning?

 

[IrishLion]

You mean Alonzo Mourning?

 

[BobbyMac]

Day 1 and already working out with the DE's.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Very strange considering some pod just last week said he was looking like a DB physically lol

 

[Luckylucci]

He’s only 6’1 3/8 217 so I doubt this is about actually game reps and more about practice reps. He’s gone after his season so I don’t see this really should have little to no impact.

 

[Luckylucci]

He’s been quite impressive so far this year. So, it brought the question of his mission to Mike Frank at ISD who said he confirmed that Kahanu still plans to take his mission for 2 years after the bowl game.