Kahoohanohano-Davis headed to Seahawks minicamp
Laakea Kahoohanohano-Davis is on the precipice of his dream.
The 2016 Baldwin High School graduate and The Maui News selection as Maui Interscholastic League Boy Athlete of the Year has signed to play in a Seattle Seahawks minicamp later this month.
Kahoohanohano-Davis is two classes away from finishing his general studies degree at Southern Utah University — he plans to finish that degree this summer with classes in history and math.
“It’s not something I thought I would have done, but it makes me warm inside, so yeah, I’m kind of happy I did that,” KahoohanohanoDavis said of soon becoming a college graduate.
First, however, comes the first step on his journey to the NFL at the Seahawks’ minicamp later this month.
“They invited me to a three-day minicamp, I’m not sure when that is,” Kahoohanohano-Davis said. “Oh yeah, it’s really exciting, you know what I mean? It’s like a dream come true. All I needed was an opportunity, some way to get in the door. I just want to show everybody that I can play and that I can compete with the guys at the next level.
“So, it’s really exciting and it’s such an honor to be able to have the chance to play at the next level.”
Kahoohanohano-Davis feels a sense of responsibility to represent the state after no players with Hawaii ties were selected in the NFL draft that ended Saturday.
“Oh yeah, for sure, I know like
Vavae (Malepeai) and a lot of other boys are either like undrafted free agents … all of us, we all, like the local boys, we all have that chip on our shoulder,” KahoohanohanoDavis said. “And we want to prove that we can play with anybody — it doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter where we go.
“We’re here to ball and we’re going to knock you in the mouth and you’re going to feel us. So, we’re
going to try to represent the best we can. We’re going to do great. I know we will.”
Kahoohanohano-Davis has overcome several challenging injuries — including three major knee surgeries, a broken elbow that cost him most of his junior football season at Baldwin and a broken wrist that forced him to wear a cast in 2021 for SUU.
He tore his ACL early in each of his first two seasons at SUU. He was also out of school in 2018 and 2019 while dealing with academic issues.
In 2020, he tore the meniscus in his right knee, requiring a third surgery on the same knee.
He wants to set an example for Maui athletes going forward.
“Very, very important, guys I know like Kaluka Maiava, JoJo Dickson, all those guys that went before and it’s been like a long time ,” K ah ooh an oh a no Davis said .“… It’s really important tome and it’s really special to just put Maui on my back and just represent for everybody back home. You know, play for them and give everybody a good show.”
Defensive lineman Tristan Nichols, a former Maui High standout and recent all-Mountain West Conference selection for Nevada, texted The Maui News on Sunday saying that he has minicamps invites from the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts.
Nichols led the Mountain West with 10 quarterback sacks in 2021.
“Gonna be a really hectic
next couple weeks,” Nichols texted.
Kahoohanohano-Davis feels a kinship with Nichols.
“He’s a baller, for sure — I know he’s going to get his shot,” Kahoohanohano-Davis said.
Kahoohanohano-Davis has an agent, Rose Blakelock, and has been working out in Arizona with Hawaii native Chad Ikei since January. After the Thunderbirds season ended, he came home briefly and then went to Arizona to work with Ikei.
He has put on about 15 pounds and is up to 219 on his 6-foot-1 frame. After playing outside linebacker in college, he sees himself as a hybrid
safety/defensive back as a professional.
“Just working out every day, just trying to stay in shape, just be the best that I can be,” Kahoohanohano-Davis said. “Kind of looking at a hybrid role, like a Jamal Adams, somebody that comes down on the line, then goes out in coverage, kind of like the gadget guy, the do-it-all guy.
“I’m feeling better than I ever have at this weight. I’m moving fine, I’m feeling great, yeah, I’m feeling good. So, I’m just excited to get on the field and show everybody what I can do.”
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Robert Collias is at rcollias @mauinews.com