Kana’i Mauga Bio
Kana’i Mauga is an American professional football linebacker. Born on January 8, 2000, in Waianae, Hawaii, he developed into a productive defender in the Pacific Islands football tradition before moving to the mainland for college and eventually the National Football League (NFL). After playing for the USC Trojans, he signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Since then, Mauga has spent time with multiple NFL organizations, including the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He is currently listed as a linebacker for the Orlando Storm of the United Football League (UFL), where he continues his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Kana’i Mauga was born in Waianae, a small community on the leeward coast of Oahu, Hawaii. He grew up in a region known for producing talented football players, and the local football culture played a major role in shaping his early athletic development. The Waianae area has long been recognized as a hotbed for high school football talent in the state of Hawaii.
Mauga attended Waianae High School, where he starred on the defensive side of the ball. He was named third-team all-state as a junior and was later honored as the Hawaii Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. During that award-winning season, he totaled 52.5 tackles and scored three defensive touchdowns, performances that helped him establish himself as one of the top defensive players in the islands.
Rated as a four-star recruit and the best outside linebacker in the state, Mauga drew attention from several college football programs. He ultimately committed to play for the USC Trojans, a program with a long history of producing NFL linebackers. His decision to leave Hawaii for the University of Southern California marked the beginning of his transition from a high school standout to a top-level college prospect.
Path to American Football
Mauga’s path to professional American football began in the youth and high school ranks in Waianae, where the sport is a community cornerstone. Playing for the Waianae High Seariders, he developed the tackling, coverage, and field-awareness skills that would later define his college and pro career. His 2017 season in particular positioned him as a priority recruit.
By the time he graduated from Waianae High School, Mauga had the physical tools and production to compete at the next level. Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 245 pounds, he had the size and athleticism expected of an NFL linebacker. His signing with USC reflected both his on-field résumé and his potential to develop into a professional defender.
Kana’i Mauga Career
College Career (2018–2021)
Mauga enrolled at the University of Southern California and immediately contributed as a true freshman in 2018. He appeared in all 12 games and recorded 14 tackles along with two pass breakups, showing the kind of reliability that coaches value in young defensive players. His role expanded quickly within a competitive Pac-12 defense.
In 2019, Mauga earned his first career start and made an immediate impact, posting 13 tackles, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble in that debut start. He finished the year with eight starts, 59 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, and two pass breakups. The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him add 41 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. In his final collegiate season, he played all 12 games and recorded 91 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. He closed his USC career with 206 tackles, six pass breakups, five sacks, and three interceptions before declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Denver Broncos (2022)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Mauga signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. The Broncos saw enough potential in his USC film to give him an opportunity during training camp. He was waived on August 30, 2022, but quickly returned to the organization.
Mauga was re-signed to the Denver practice squad, giving him a chance to continue developing within the team’s system. He was released from the practice squad on November 1, 2022, ending his first NFL stint but setting the stage for his next opportunity.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022–2024)
On December 13, 2022, Mauga was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, where he finished out his rookie year. On January 9, 2023, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders, signaling the team’s interest in keeping him in the organization. The 2023 offseason was a turbulent period, as he was released on August 1 and re-signed on August 12, then released again at final roster cuts before returning to the practice squad.
Mauga was signed to the Raiders’ active roster on September 30, 2023, and made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. With that appearance, he became the third alumnus of Waianae High School to reach the NFL. He was later placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, which limited him to five games played and three tackles during the 2023 season. He remained with the Raiders into the 2024 campaign and was waived on April 25, 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers (2025)
On May 12, 2025, Mauga signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, joining another AFC West organization. He was released on August 26, 2025, before the start of the regular season, and was re-signed to the practice squad on September 9, 2025. His time with the Chargers was brief, as he was released again on October 7, 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025)
Mauga found his next opportunity on December 3, 2025, when he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad. The move gave him a late-season chance to contribute within a different defensive scheme. He was released by the Steelers on December 19, 2025.
Orlando Storm (2026–Present)
On May 12, 2026, Mauga signed with the Orlando Storm of the United Football League, bringing his career to a new spring football chapter. Wearing jersey No. 43, he joined the Storm roster as an active linebacker. The UFL move allowed him to continue playing professionally and showcase his skills on a national spring stage.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Mauga’s career came on September 30, 2023, when he made his NFL debut with the Las Vegas Raiders against the Los Angeles Chargers. That game marked him as the third Waianae High School alumnus to reach the NFL, a milestone that connected his personal journey to the broader legacy of Hawaiian football talent. Combined with his 2017 Hawaii Defensive Player of the Year award and his 206 career tackles at USC, these moments highlight a career built on perseverance and steady development.
Kana’i Mauga Family
Personal Life
Kana’i Mauga was born and raised in Waianae, Hawaii, a community that remains an important part of his identity. His upbringing on Oahu’s leeward coast helped shape his work ethic and toughness, traits that have been visible throughout his football career. Public details about his immediate family, marital status, and children are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Mauga’s 2025 season was defined by movement between practice squads and active rosters. He began the year on the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster before being waived on April 25, 2025. He quickly caught on with the Los Angeles Chargers in May 2025, but was released before the regular season and returned to the practice squad in September before another release in October.
His late-season opportunity came on December 3, 2025, when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to their practice squad. The 16-day stint with Pittsburgh offered a brief but meaningful chance to learn a new defensive system, even though he was released on December 19, 2025. Across the 2025 calendar year, Mauga’s ability to remain in professional football despite multiple transactions highlighted his resilience and continued value as a linebacker prospect.
Heading into 2026, Mauga transitioned to the UFL’s Orlando Storm, a fresh start in a league that emphasizes fast, physical play. The spring league provides him an opportunity to earn significant playing time and put his USC-trained skill set on full display.