Hawaii Linebacker Josiah Kia Commits To Notre Dame

Notre Dame has picked up its 14th commitment in the 2025 class with Honolulu (Haw.) Punahou linebacker Josiah Kia committing to the Fighting Irish. 

Kia visited Notre Dame this past weekend, and the Irish were in pole position coming into the visit. His trip to South Bend sealed the deal, and Kia has now become the latest 2025 prospect to join the No. 1 ranked Notre Dame class. 

Kia is graded as three-star commit, but Notre Dame has been making a hard push for him since offering him in January of 2023. Despite having a board of much higher ranked linebackers, the Irish staff made Kia a priority, which shows how high the staff is on him as a prospect.

The 6-3, 215-pound linebacker does a little bit of everything for Punahou, who also produced past Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te'o and 2022-23 starting linebacker Marist Liufau. Kia recorded 73 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown as a junior.

Kia is the younger brother of Notre Dame 2021 signee Kahanu Kia, who played with the Irish in 2021 before going on a two-year mission as part of the Church of Latter Day Saints. The elder Kia is expected to return to Notre Dame for the 2024 season.

Kia joins a 2025 recruiting class that also includes elite quarterback Deuce Knight, running backs Daniel Anderson and Justin Thurman, tight end James Flanigan, offensive tackle Will Black, defensive tackle Davion Dixon, defensive end Christopher Burgess Jr., defensive end CJ May, defensive end Joseph Reiff, hybrid defender Dominik Hulak, cornerback Cree Thomas, and safeties Ivan Taylor and Ethan Long. 

The Punahou standout earned offers from Texas, USC, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Nebraska, Michigan State, Arizona, Arizona State, Washington State, California, BYU and Vanderbilt.