Notre Dame Gives Josiah Kia Everything He Wanted.
Josiah “Ko’o” Kia, a linebacker for Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou, had a very critical weekend at South Bend. Kia was out to assist his older brother, 2021 linebacker signee Kahanu Kia, in returning from his LDS mission, but he also gained valuable recruiting experience as a Notre Dame target.
The visit didn’t disappoint. Kia decided on Monday, as he was about to fly for Hawaii, that he had seen enough and was ready to commit to Notre Dame. He couldn’t contain his joy and announced his devotion to the Irish.
“For me Notre Dame has everything I am looking for, and not only that but they do it better than everyone else,” Kia said in an interview with Irish Breakdown.
I feel Notre Dame is prepared to challenge for the national championship.
“In terms of the school, it could set me up for the rest of my life,” he said. “I’d been thinking about Notre Dame for a long time, and they were my choice prior to the visit. After spending a few days in South Bend on this tour, I felt compelled to commit, so I prayed about it, and when I understood where I needed to be, I didn’t hesitate.”v
This recruiting was undoubtedly Notre Dame’s to lose before the visit.
In actuality, the trip may have been more of a formality before pulling the trigger, but it reaffirmed everything about the 6-2, 210-pound defense.
“It told me everything I needed to know,” Kia stated. “Coaches may say a lot over the phone, but when I saw and experienced it for myself, I realized it was true. “It exceeded all of my expectations.” Kia had previously visited campus for his brother, but this trip was for his own path. His father and brother joined him on the visit. While Kia’s mother was back at home, the entire family had the opportunity to fully celebrate this great achievement.
“I know my mom was so happy when I called her and told her the news,” she said. “I am sure she was shedding tears of joy back in Hawaii. I believe my father is really proud of me and happy for me to seize this opportunity as well.” The vision is now defined, the decision has been made, and Kia is fully committed. He delivered a brief message for Notre Dame fans on what to expect when he arrives on campus before to the 2025 season.
“I am going to contribute everything I have, nothing less.
” Kia is coming off a tremendous junior season for Punahou. He had 73 total stops, 17 for loss, eight sacks, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and recovered an interception for a touchdown. Kia chose the Irish over offers from Texas, USC, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Utah, Michigan State, Washington State, Arizona, BYU, Arizona State, California, and Vanderbilt, among others.
