2025 LB Ko’o Kia reflects on Notre Dame commitment

Honolulu Punahou class of 2025 linebacker Ko’o Kia arrived to Notre Dame Jan. 12 for a unique visit.

His time in South Bend was twofold; he was there as a recruit who has a handful of Power Five offers and also as the younger brother of a Notre Dame player (Kahanu Kia) who returned to the school after a two-year Mormon mission trip.

He had a full recruiting experience for the first 36 hours or so while on campus. And then on Monday, Jan. 15, he had more meetings with the staff, which included a sit-down conversation with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. And the leader of the Fighting Irish program sealed the deal for the commitment to take place.

“Going into the visit, Notre Dame was already the favorite for me because of what it brings to the table with a great football program, great school and a whole lot of opportunities,” Kia told Blue & Gold. “When I got to the campus and experienced everything, it was so much more than I expected.”

Kia informed Freeman of his decision commit during that sit-down chat.

“He was asking me about how the visit went, and I told him how much I loved it and that I wanted to spend my college career at Notre Dame,” recalled Kia. “He was very excited. It was a great moment.”

Kia is pumped. His family is fired up, and that would definitely include his older brother, Kahanu. They’re going to be able to play on the same team for the first time, and they may get to play three seasons together at Notre Dame.

“That’s going to be really cool,” the younger Kia said. “I’ve never played with him before because I’ve been four years behind him. When I was in eighth grade, he was in his senior year. All throughout youth football, I was never able to play with him. I’ve trained with him a lot, so it won’t be too new, but it’ll definitely be really special. I attribute a lot of my success to him.

“I’m ready to put in the work. I’m going to be ready next year.”

Kia has the versatility and size to play multiple positions in the front seven. His brother came to Notre Dame as a linebacker and moved to defensive end back in 2021. It remains to be seen what Kahanu will play for the Irish moving forward, but Ko’o does offer similar positional versatility.

“They see me as one of their two inside linebackers,” Kia said. “But wherever they need me, I’ll play. I’m willing to learn whatever position to get on the field as quickly as possible.”

Kahanu played in two games for the Irish in 2021. He made four tackles against Navy and appeared in the game against Toledo. He returns to Notre Dame with four years of eligibility. Kahanu only played in two games back in 2021, and his eligibility clocked pause while on his two-year mission.

It remains to be seen if Ko’o will also take a mission before or during his time at Notre Dame.

“They’ve (the Notre Dame coaches) told me many times before that whatever I decide, they’re completely on board and supportive with what I choose,” noted Kia.

Kia has seen how the Notre Dame staff treated his brother with the regards to taking a two-year mission trip. And it’s only been very positive.

“They really do honor their word and mean what they say,” Kia stated. “He’s back there now and on the team again. Coach Freeman is so genuine.”

His father, Nate Kia, played for the Utah Utes in the mid-1990s. The elder Kia is currently Ko’o’s head coach at Punahou and was named the Hawaii 2023-24 Open Division Football Coach of the Year.

Kia is one of two linebacker commits for the Irish in the 2025 class, joining Illinois’ product Dominik Hulak.

He is currently ranked as the nation’s No. 55 linebacker and No. 2 prospect from his home state of Hawaii per On3.