Kahanu Kia holds the WLB · Depth spot in Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s linebacker room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:

Kahanu Kia is a redshirt junior linebacker for Notre Dame who hails from Kahalu'u, Hawaii, and attended Punahou High School. A three-star recruit from the 2021 class, he made his collegiate debut against Toledo as a freshman. After serving a two-year mission during 2022 and 2023, Kia missed the 2024 season due to injury. In 2025, his sophomore year, he appeared in all 12 games and compiled nine total tackles, including four solo stops. He recorded a career-high five tackles—three solo and two assisted—in victories over Syracuse.

Notre Dame2021 — present