Former Washington State DB Kapena Gushiken Visits Ole Miss and Leaves with an Offer

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss hosted former Washington State defensive back Kapena Gushiken this weekend — and according to his Twitter account, he now has received an offer from the Rebels.

Ole Miss Offered🙏🏽

Thank you @CoachSchoonie @wesnab4646 @CoachGolding and to the rest of the staff for the hospitality! pic.twitter.com/zBcBoq74bu

— KAPENA GUSHIKEN (@kapslockbrah) January 6, 2025

Gushiken, a safety who played 25 games for the Cougars, will have an additional year of eligibility thanks to a new rule for those who played JUCO football.

RELATED: Keep up with the ‘Players to Watch’ for Ole Miss in the transfer portal

Last season, the 6-foot-0, 185-pound Gushiken appeared in all 13 games, 11 as a starter, for Washington State and was third on team with 52 tackles. He also notched 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and recovered one fumble.

Gushiken was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List after playing in 25 career games for the Cougars. On the whole for his career, he tallied a total of 88 tackles, five tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, three interceptions and one sack.

Washington St DBs have been good to the @seniorbowl over the years. Players like Jaylen Watson @JaylenWatson12 and Chau Smith Wade @Chau__Smith had big weeks down in Mobile. Next up might be 2024 SAF Kapena Gushiken (5095v, 185v) @kapslockbrah. This former JUCO standout is in his… pic.twitter.com/XfqPX2d8CW

— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) September 14, 2024

Before his two seasons at Washington State, Gushiken played two seasons at Saddleback Junior College

In addition to Ole Miss Gushiken has been offered by Minnesota and California.

Kapena Gushiken’s Bio

At Washington State

SENIOR (2024): Appeared in all 13 games, 11 as a starter…third on team with 52 tackles…made 3.5 tackles-for-loss…had two interceptions, six pass breakups and recovered one fumble…named to Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List…made tackles with one for loss in season-opening win over Portland State…made five tackles with one for loss and an interception in win over Texas Tech, named WSU Co-Defensive Player of the Week…made four tackles in Apple Cup win over Washington…made career-high eight tackles in double-overtime win over San Jose State…had three tackles at No. 25 Boise State…made four stops in win at Fresno State…recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in a win over Hawaii…made four tackles in win at San Diego State…picked off a pass and broke up two passes in win over Hawaii…made five tackles and broke up two passes at New Mexico…had seven tackles at Oregon State…recorded three tackles against Wyoming…had tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup against No. 21 Syracuse in Holiday Bowl.

JUNIOR (2023): Enrolled in January and participated in spring practice…appeared in all 12 games and started in five…totaled 36 tackles during the season, 16 solo and 20 assisted…credited with 1.5 tackles for loss and a total of five pass breakups…recorded a sack for a nine yard loss and had a 88-yard interception return for a touchdown in the game against UCLA…it marked the longer interception return for a TD since Francisco Mauigoa raced 95 yards against Oregon for the pick-6 in 2022…made six tackles in the game against Arizona, a season high…named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.

JUCO at Saddleback College

SOPHOMORE (2022): Played at Saddleback College in southern California…named to the All-National Division Southern League First Team…appeared in nine games, made 22 tackles with one for loss, one forced fumble, one interception and six pass breakups…rated three-star junior college prospect and seventh-best junior college cornerback in the country by ESPN.com.

FRESHMAN (2021): Played at Saddleback College in southern California…made 16 tackles and led team with eight pass breakups.

High School

Attended Kamehameha High School in Hawaii…two-time all-league selection and earned All-State honors in football…also lettered in track, volleyball and basketball.