We’re two weeks out from football starting, it’s time to start practice-pregaming for the tailgates! While knocking them back, you can read up on today’s countdown subject – #14 Kaonohi Kaniho
#14, Kaonohi Kaniho, RS Junior, Cornerback
Stats
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 180lbs
High school: Kahuku HS (Kahuku, HI)
How’d he get to The Blue™?
A 3-star prospect out of Hawaii, he was offered by his local Rainbow Warriors. However, Kaonohi decided to follow his brother Kekaula Kaniho to Boise State.
Nickname
“2K”
Anybody else remember NFL 2K? Oh yeah.
Look-alike
Imagine a taller, harder-hitting Bruno Mars.
Career Highlights
Kaonohi had a relatively quiet 2022 season, but garnered 3 solo tackles and a fumble recovery against Air Force, which is basically as good as a touchdown if we’re honest. He also blocked a Nevada field goal attempt, and racked up 5 tackles and two passes defended against BYU.
Mr. Kaniho has also received all-MW Academic honors in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
2023 Prospectus
With the usual turnover from graduations and departures, Kaonohi has gone from a backup player to one of the old heads in the CB room. With Markel Reed and Jaylen Clark looking to retain starting slots, and A’Marion McCoy making noise in camp, Kaniho still figures to be a prominent piece of the defensive backfield this fall. Depending on how the rotation works out, he’ll likely be getting a lot of comparisons to Kekaula Kaniho with the playtime exposure.
What’s extra scary for opposing teams is that Kaonohi isn’t just playing for himself. Much of his family was affected by the wildfires in Hawaii, and according to Kaniho, “I have a reason to play even more than just my daughter, but it’s playing for those guys, and I know they want me to do my best in everything I do.”
Is he on Twitter?
He is, but we’re approaching a year since his last post.
Completely made up fact
While he’s known as a hard-hitting cornerback on the field, Kaonohi’s daughter Teavana claims he is one of the “prettiest princesses” at home.
