NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Kekaula Kaniho, DB – Boise State University
3.94 GPA – Health Science
Head Coach: Bryan Harsin | Athletics Director: Bob Carney
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Roger Munger
An Academic All-American with an impressive GPA, Kekaula Kaniho has led Boise State to two conference titles during his time playing on "The Blue." The Kahuku, Hawai'i, native becomes the Broncos' second NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Boasting a remarkable 3.94 GPA as a health science major, Kaniho is on pace to graduate in May 2021. The 2019 Second Team Academic All-American was also a First Team Academic All-District selection. Kaniho is a three-time Academic All-Mountain West honoree and a three-time Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Award recipient.
A 2020 Second Team All-Mountain West selection, Kaniho finished the season with 32 tackles, two tackles for loss and seven pass breakups while leading the team to a 5-2 record and a berth in the conference championship game. The 2020 Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist returned a blocked field goal 91 yards for a touchdown in a win over Colorado State on Nov. 12. The Broncos opted to not play in a bowl game in 2020.
The 2019 First Team All-Mountain West performer helped Boise State win the 2017 and 2019 conference titles. Kaniho led the Broncos to three consecutive bowl berths, including a win over Oregon in the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl. Boise State has finished with a Top 25 national ranking in the first three seasons of his career – No. 23 in 2019, No. 23 in 2018 and No. 22 in 2017.
As a junior, Kaniho finished third on the team in tackles-for-loss (11.0) and fourth in tackles (61). The previous season, he led the team with three interceptions. In his career, Kaniho boasts 165 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, five interceptions and 26 pass breakups.
A standout in the community, Kaniho visits local elementary schools and talks to students about healthy lifestyles and good sportsmanship. He also participates in the "Broncos vs. Bullying" anti-bullying campaign.
