Notre Dame LB commit selected to play in postseason all-star game
Honolulu Punahou class of 2025 linebacker and Notre Dame commit Ko’o Kia was selected to play in the Polynesian Bowl, a postseason all-star game that takes place each January in Hawaii.
On July 18, Polynesian Bowl announced today that ex-NFL head coaches Gary Kubiak and Ron Rivera have been selected to lead both teams in the all-star game. The contest can be viewed live on NFL Network on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET (4 p.m. HT). The game will be played at Kūnuiākea Stadium on the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus.
One other Irish commit is on the 2025 Polynesian Bowl roster — Chicago Simeon EDGE Christopher Burgess.
It’s Blue & Gold’s understanding that Kia plans to enroll at Notre Dame in January, and the first day of school is Jan. 13 according to Notre Dame’s academic calendar. We’re unsure if Kia will be able to play in the Polynesian Bowl with it taking place on Jan. 17. Regardless, Kia being selected to play in the game is an honor.
Kia is planning to play in the U.S. Army Bowl that takes place at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco on Dec. 21.
Punahou started its 2024 campaign last week, and Kia shined in the 35-0 victory for his squad. Per Hawaii Sports Radio, he posted 12 tackles (4 for loss) and batted down three passes at the line of scrimmage.
Kia comes from the same high school that produced 2012 Heisman runner-up and Notre Dame legendary linebacker Manti Te’o.
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He ranks as the No. 504 overall recruit and No. 52 linebacker nationally according to the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 2 player from Hawaii.
His older brother, Kahanu, played in two games for the Irish in 2021. Kahanu made four tackles against Navy and appeared in the game against Toledo. A couple weeks ago, news broke that Kahanu would miss the 2024 season due to injury.
Their 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 committed to Notre Dame on Jan. 15, 2024 over offers from Oregon, Texas, USC, Washington and others.
“I’m ready to put in the work,” he previously said. “I’m going to be ready next year.”
