Ole Miss strengthened its secondary depth for the 2025 season with the addition of Kapena Gushiken, a transfer defensive back from Washington State, who committed to the Rebels on Tuesday.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 184 pounds, Gushiken joins Ole Miss after two standout seasons with the Cougars’ defense. Originally from Pukalani, Hawaii, Gushiken will be transitioning to a new environment in Oxford, which will be a significant change after his time in Pullman, Washington, and the upcoming move to the SEC.
Gushiken shared the news of his commitment on social media Tuesday, posting a message that read, “Committed to the SIP,” along with a HottyToddy hashtag, signaling that he’s already familiarized himself with Ole Miss traditions. The post also featured Gushiken wearing a Rebels jersey, a look he’ll sport for real when the season begins later this year.
Gushiken recorded 88 total tackles, 5 tackles-for-loss, and 3 interceptions over his two seasons at Washington State.
The senior, hailing from the Maui area, has had a unique football journey. He started at Kamehameha High School before moving on to Saddleback Junior College in Southern California. After that, Gushiken transferred to Washington State, where he spent the past two years. Now, he’s set to finish his journey at Ole Miss in the SEC.
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