PEARL CITY — No matter the obstacle — a season-ending injury, a position switch or the uncertainty that can come with recruiting — Linkin Apana kept moving forward.

Last Friday, surrounded by over 50 family members and friends gathered at his grandparents’ home, the Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama standout announced his commitment to play football at Texas Christian University, a decision shaped as much by perseverance and relationships as by football itself.

For Apana, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker in the Class of 2027, the moment represented more than selecting a college program. It was validation after a year in which football was often viewed from the sidelines rather than between the lines.

“It’s truly a blessing,” Apana said. “It’s all thanks to the man above. I’m so happy right now.”

Apana, regarded as one of Hawaii’s top prospects and ranked among the state’s top five recruits by major recruiting services, chose TCU over offers that included UNLV, Boise State, Hawai’i and Utah.

The commitment comes after a difficult junior season at Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama. While the Warriors captured their first ILH Division I championship since 2009 and advanced to the Open Division state title game, Apana spent nearly the entire season recovering from an injury suffered in the season opener.

For many athletes, missing a pivotal recruiting year can create uncertainty. Instead, Apana said TCU strengthened its commitment to him during the process.

“TCU stuck with me through thick and thin,” Apana said. “I was injured and they stuck by my side. The coaches checked on me during surgery, during recovery. Never laid off my back and I appreciate them so much for that.”

The connection deepened during an official visit to Fort Worth one week before his announcement.

“There’s a good culture over there,” Apana said. “When I went on my official visit, I really loved the people there. They value God and it’s a great education out there so I’m really blessed with this opportunity.”

Away from the field, rehabilitation brought a different perspective.

Daily workouts replaced game days. Recovery replaced competition. The process, Apana said, taught him patience and humility.

“Throughout the injury process, it really taught me that I have to be humble and I have to keep grinding,” Apana said. “I just had to grind in my rehab every single day. Had to trust in God but it’s a blessing to be back here fully recovered ready for this season.”

He said he also hopes to continue representing Hawaii athletes on a larger stage.

“Hawai‘i boys, we don’t get that exposure as much,” Apana said. “I’m just ready to keep putting in that same grind, that same hard work as a player. TCU is getting a leader, someone that’s coachable and just a humble player in me.”

Apana’s willingness to embrace challenges had already become apparent before the injury.

A wide receiver for most of his football life, he made the move to linebacker after his freshman season as his frame developed and coaches saw another path.

Kamehameha coach Kaeo Drummondo said the transition revealed much about Apana’s character.

“Shortly after the season ended I had a conversation with Linkin about transitioning him to linebacker and I expected push back,” Drummondo recalled. “To my surprise and excitement, Linkin was very open to the idea.”

“Once he got an off-season of work in at linebacker, we knew pretty early on that he had a bright future there.”

Linkin Apana participates in the 808 P.R.O. Day in the summer of 2025. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Apana said the decision came down to a simple mindset: finding any way possible to contribute.

“I just want to be on the field, help the team wherever I can, wherever is best,” he said. “So I took the opportunity and it’s been a great change for me. I’ve developed so much as a linebacker within a year and I’m just excited to take my talents to the next level.”

For Drummondo, Apana’s adaptability mirrors the person behind the player.

“Linkin’s openness to the idea and how he attacked the new position with a positive mindset and with tenacity is who Linkin is as a person every day,” Drummondo said. “He attacks everything he commits to, has the personality that can brighten up a room and leads with a positive energy.”

Now healthy again, Apana enters the upcoming season with a college commitment secured and a chance to return to the field that he spent much of last year watching from the sidelines.

From backup to breakout star, Kamehameha linebacker Evan Duke Cazimero is ready for the next level.

Cazimero announced his commitment to Colorado State University on June 11, ending a recruiting process that took the rising junior from backup linebacker to one of Hawai‘i’s emerging Division I prospects.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Cazimero, a three-star prospect in the class of 2027 according to 247Sports, chose Colorado State over offers that included Hawai‘i, San Jose State, Washington State, Air Force, Army, San Diego State, UNLV and Montana.

“I felt relieved, excited and most importantly grateful that I found a place that I felt supported and a place that I believe I can thrive,” Cazimero said. “The coaches are great and they believe in me.”

Cazimero said his family’s comfort with the program, along with confidence in new Colorado State coach Jim Mora and his staff, played a major role in the decision.

“My family and I loved the campus, facilities and the people,” he said. “We believe in Jim Mora and what he and his staff will do at CSU. I felt valued, not only as a football player, but as a person.”

The commitment marks another step in a rapid rise for Cazimero, whose breakout season came after he entered Kamehameha’s 2025 campaign as a backup linebacker.

An injury to starting middle linebacker Linkin Apana in the season opener moved Cazimero into a larger role and created an opportunity that changed the trajectory of his season.

“Linkin is one of my best friends and I felt so bad that he was injured,” Cazimero said. “We were always excited to play together. We knew not just our position but the system so that we could adjust as needed.”

Cazimero emerged as a key piece of a Kamehameha defense that helped deliver the Warriors’ first Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship since 2009 and a berth in the Open Division state championship game.

He also produced one of the team’s defining moments during the regular season, returning an interception 79 yards for a touchdown in Kamehameha’s 28-21 victory over defending state champion Saint Louis.

Kamehameha coach Kaeo Drummondo said Cazimero’s development accelerated after he stepped into the lineup.

“I think Evan’s story is pretty special considering he’s kind of a ‘late bloomer’ in a sense,” Drummondo said. “Going into his junior season, we knew that he had the physical tools, but once we lost Linkin Apana for the season, we were a bit concerned and Evan stepped up in a major way to help lead our defense.”

Drummondo said Cazimero’s versatility and instincts have separated him.

“I think the combination of Evan’s athleticism, physicality and instincts playing on the second level in the box, in space and as a rusher and blitzer will pay dividends for him moving forward because he’s a versatile player,” Drummondo said.

Cazimero said his success during his junior season came from a collective effort.
“Our D-line was key and our defense just played as a unit,” he said. “We had fun out there and we played for each other.”

Away from football, Cazimero also competes in wrestling and track and field, sports he said have improved different parts of his game.

“Wrestling was great for my body control, take downs and tackles,” he said. “Track and field helped me with my speed and conditioning.”

Cazimero credited his family, coaches and trainers for helping him reach this point.

“My mom, dad and sister always supported me,” he said. “They took me to every practice and every training — never missed a game. They believed in me and always pushed me to be the best. Our faith in God and knowing that everything happens for a reason helped me though all the seasons of the sport.”

That support system extends beyond his immediate family he added.

“I have countless aunties and uncles, family and friends that supported me through it all. My coaches, from elementary at Millville football, through Kamehameha U12, Intermediate and varsity. Each coach contributed to my growth and I’m very grateful. All the staff and trainers have been essential. Outside training and recovery has been key as well — Marcus at Athlete’s House helps me with my strength and agility, and uncle Kekoa at Body Fix helps with my recovery.”

With his college decision complete, Cazimero said his attention now turns to Kamehameha’s final goal after last season’s overtime loss in the state title game.

“We want to be back there in the state championship game,” he said. “We have all the pieces and we know how bad it hurts to lose that game.”

For Colorado State, Cazimero said the program is getting more than a linebacker.

“Colorado State is getting a competitor,” he said. “I’m coachable and want to learn the system and become a leader. I want to show them what our Hawaiian athletes can do.”