OXFORD – Kapena Gushiken knew Ole Miss and defensive coordinator Pete Golding could provide all the things he needed to succeed at the college level and potentially at the next.
Gushiken, a senior safety transfer from Washington State, started 16 games for the Cougars over the last two seasons and racked up 88 total tackles and three interceptions. When he entered the transfer portal in late December, his goal was finding a school that could help prepare for a future in the NFL.
Ole Miss checked off all of the boxes. Gushiken, who is a native of Hawaii, played his first two seasons of college football at Saddleback College.
“I think it was just the coaches, the defensive prestige,” Gushiken said. “ … The amount of success that they’ve had, I could see myself being a great fit. And, just growing as a player on and off the field, increasing my draft stock. The list goes on and on.”
As is the case with many of the Rebels’ positional groups, Ole Miss’ defensive back room will look vastly different come the 2025 season. All five members of the secondary who started the Gator Bowl are no longer on the roster, including safeties Trey Washington and John Saunders. The Rebels have added reinforcements through the transfer portal, including former LSU safety Sage Ryan, former Arkansas cornerback Jaylon Braxton and Gushiken. Gushiken said he primarily played nickelback at Washington State.
The Rebels boasted the No. 2 scoring defense in college football last season and ranked No. 86 nationally in passing yards per game allowed at 230.8. Ole Miss was 30th nationally in passing efficiency defense, and the Rebels’ 23 turnovers gained ranked fifth in the SEC.
Among the returners in the secondary are junior cornerback Chris Graves Jr., sophomore cornerback T.J. Banks and sophomore safety Nick Cull. No player on the current roster started a game for the Rebels last season. That youth isn’t a hindrance, Gushiken said, because the defensive backs are immense competitors.
“We have a very hungry group. Everyone wants to come to work every day and get better, whatever it may be,” Gushiken said. “And it’s a young group, too. Not a lot of veterans, I would say, who had a lot of playing time last year. But I think the hunger, the way that everybody comes and attacks every day, it’s going to be good once (the) season comes.”
Gushiken also said he is looking forward to playing against his former team this season. The Rebels host Washington State on Oct. 11.
“I don’t think it’s going to be weird. I think it’s going to be great,” Gushiken said. “I wish we could go there, honestly. But it’s cool that they’re coming out here, and I’m excited.”
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