OXFORD — He wasn't the headliner going in to Ole Miss' Pro Day Wednesday, but Kupena Gushiken definitely walked out as a show-stopper.
The former Ole Miss defensive back turned NFL heads on Wednesday inside the Manning Center, bench pressing 225 pounds 17 times, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and posting a vertical jump of 41 inches and a broad jump of 11 feet.
"I think it was a good day," Gushiken said. "There were some numbers I definitely wanted to hit, but outside of that looking at it from a big picture, I thought I did pretty well. It was really important, honestly. I care a lot about football and this journey I've been on.
"I definitely took the process very serious."
Gushiken has been training in Fort Myers, Fla., since the end of Ole Miss' College Football Playoff run, one that concluded with a semifinal loss to Miami in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 8.
Ole Miss Rebels safety Kapena Gushiken (14) reacts after making an interception against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
"I told myself going into it that it was just another day," Gushiken said. "I just trusted in my preparation and made sure I did everything I could leading up to this point. The work has already been done, so I was just coming out here and executing."
"Kupena is so athletically gifted," former Ole Miss wide receiver and fellow Pro Day participant De'Zhaun Stribling said. "He's so strong and his work ethic is great, so I knew he was going to test well. His numbers are beautiful and I'm very proud of him and proud for him that he had a chance to show everybody what he can do."
Gushiken, a 6-foot, 185-pounder from Pukalani, Hawaii, transferred to Ole Miss before the 2025 season after a stellar career at Washington State. He recorded 55 tackles for the Rebels, adding a forced fumble, an interception and five pass break-ups.
"I took a lot of pride in really just getting one percent better every day and I feel like my journey can speak to that, starting from junior college and then moving up to the Pac-12 and then making it to the SEC," Gushiken said. "I'm really just focused on wherever this journey takes me and continuing to grow as a player and as a person."
WELCOME TO THE KAPENA GUSHIKEN SHOW 🍿🤯
Vertical: 41”
Broad: 11’
40: 4.35
Bench: 17@kapslockbrah x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/SY1WmiBgha
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 18, 2026
Gushiken said he's heard from the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals and a few other teams as the NFL Draft approaches late next month.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make a team," Gushiken said. "Whether it's special teams or rotational starter, it does's matter. I just want to get my foot in the door and make an impact.
"Whatever the task may be, I'm willing to do what it takes to achieve whatever I set out to do. Time and again, whatever it may be, I've set my mind to something and then gone to get it. I'm hungry, passionate and just love the game of football."
Gushiken said his year at Ole Miss helped him prepare for the draft process.
"I wouldn't want to be a part of any other team," Gushiken said. "I wouldn't do my last year at any other place. I definitely chose the right spot to come here."