Utah transfer edge rusher Ka’eo Akana will be playing closer to home in 2025.
Although it’s not Pauoa Valley, UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe made sure Akana felt the island vibes to seal the deal.
Akana is the latest player to commit to Bruins during the winter NCAA college football transfer portal period, he confirmed Tuesday.
The 6-foot-3. 233-pound pass rusher, who prepped at Roosevelt and Saint Francis Schools in Honolulu, is the third defensive player to commit UCLA in the past 24 hours, joining former Oregon State cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. and Louisville safety transfer Benjamin Perry.
Malloe, a Waimanalo graduate and 1992 alumnus of Kamehameha Schools’ Kapalama Campus in Oahu, played a big role in securing Akana during his official visit on Monday.
“I loved his vision for me and I loved it,” Akana said of Malloe. “He has similar experiences as me growing up and we can relate to certain things.
“Just visiting and looking around, hanging out with the guys and meeting with all the coaches, it was just the best fit for me.”
“One of the biggest factors was coach Malloe,” added Kip Akana, the father of Ka’eo.
“He recruited Ka’eo before... it wasn’t the right timing, but that connection still existed with Ikaika. He has the passion, love and drive to all the players and coaches and you really feel that he believes in you.”
The addition of Akana also adds to the number of players on the Bruins that played high school football in Hawai’i. He will get an opportunity to play with the likes of receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala out of Campbell in Ewa Beach and linebacker Solomone Malafu out of Kapa’a.
“”I felt like It was a good home for me, a good fit, a good opportunity of the situation I’m in,” said the Roosevelt alumnus. “We all stick together because we’re from the same place and we all help each other out.”
Akana, who has two years of eligibility left after spending three years at Utah, previously took an official visit to BYU last week and met with Hawai’i coaches over lunch on the first day of the portal period on Dec. 9.
“I’m thankful for the opportunities everybody gave me,” he said.
“I just want to thank Utah for developing me and giving me the opportunity. I love Hawai’i and I love coach Timmy Chang and all those coaches. I just want to thank them for all they did for me and my family, just grateful and also to BYU for bringing me in on all the visits.”
In addition to Jordan and Perry, Akana joins Arkansas wide receiver Jaedon Wilson, Florida State offensive tackle Julian Armella and former Kentucky and USC offensive tackle Courtland Ford as players in the transfer portal to join UCLA.
Akana was a 4-star prospect out of high school and was rated as the No. 1 player in the state from the 2022 class by 247Sports.
