Kapena Gushiken

Last updated

Kapena Gushiken
No. 14 – Ole Miss Rebels
Position Safety
ClassSenior
Personal information
Born (2002-08-15) August 15, 2002 (age 23)
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii)
College
Stats at ESPN

Steven Kapena Gushiken (born August 15, 2002) is an American football safety for the Ole Miss Rebels. He previously played for the Washington State Cougars and the Saddleback Bobcats.

Contents

Early life and high school

Gushiken attended Kamehameha High School. He was not a highly-recruited college football prospect, committing to play for the Saddleback Bobcats. [1]

College career

Saddleback College

Gushiken plated two seasons at Saddleback College from 2021 to 2022, earning All-National Division Southern League First Team honors in 2022. He was the 7th ranked JUCO cornerback.[ by whom? ] [2]

Washington State

Gushiken committed to play for the Washington State Cougars. [3] In week 6 of the 2023 season, he recorded three tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and an interception which he returned 88 yards for a touchdown versus UCLA. [4] In week 2 of the 2024 season, Gushiken recorded five tackles with one being for a loss and an interception in a win over Texas Tech. [5] During his two seasons as a Cougar from 2023 through 2024, he played in 25 games with 16 starts, where he totaled 88 tackles three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown, where after the conclusion of the 2024 season he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. [6] [7]

Ole Miss

Gushiken transferred to play for the Ole Miss Rebels. [8] He entered the 2025 season as a starter in the Rebels secondary. [9] [10] In week 8 of the 2025 season, Gushiken notched six tackles in a loss versus Georgia. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Hanson, Scott (August 20, 2024). "Unrecruited Kapena Gushiken has made a name for himself on the Cougars' defense". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  2. ↑ Taylor, Sam. "His name is Kapena Gushiken". The Daily Evergreen. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  3. ↑ Woods, Greg. "As WSU nickel Kapena Gushiken gets healthy, his versatility shows in spring practice". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  4. ↑ Woods, Greg (October 7, 2023). "Difference makers: WSU safety Kapena Gushiken dominant, but No. 13 Cougars suffer first loss". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  5. ↑ Meehan, Jim (September 7, 2024). "Difference makers: John Mateer, Kapena Gushiken's big plays lead Washington State past Texas Tech". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ Nelson, Joe. "Gophers offer Washington State transfer cornerback Kapena Gushiken". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  7. ↑ Wasson, David. "Ole Miss names team captains for Saturday's game against WSU". Saturday Down South. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  8. ↑ Katz, Michael. "Ole Miss checked off all the boxes for Kapena Gushiken". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  9. ↑ Wicker, Kameron. "Ole Miss Safety Kapena Gushiken Aims to Lead Young Secondary, Elevate NFL Draft Stock". The Rebel Walk. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  10. ↑ Quaglino, Jacob. "Kapena Gushiken Embracing Growth and Opportunity in Ole Miss Secondary". The Rebel Walk. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kamoku, Kelia. "Ole Miss duo Kapena Gushiken and De'Zhaun Stribling stands out in week 8". KHON2. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
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