Kauvaka Commits to Montana Football

Three-star offensive lineman David Kauvaka has committed to the University of Montana's 2027 recruiting class.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a football lineman in a stocky crouch on a grass field, with blurred evergreen ridgelines beneath open sky. — Three-star offensive lineman David Kauvaka committed Thursday to the University of Montana's 2027 football recruiting class, choosing Montana over several FBS programs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

David Kauvaka, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman from Mater Dei High School in California, announced his commitment to the University of Montana football program on Thursday, Nov. 5. The three-star recruit had multiple FBS offers and announced the decision on social media with a commitment graphic.

Why it matters

The commitment adds a three-star interior lineman to Montana's 2027 class, which currently includes 26 known commits. Kauvaka's choice of Montana over several FBS programs reflects the program's continued ability to land out-of-state talent.

Kauvaka stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 310 pounds, and is ranked No. 184 among 2027 interior offensive linemen nationally and No. 229 among California prospects by 247Sports. His 82 rating places him in the three-star tier, though the ranking data does not indicate his projected role on the Grizzlies' line.

The players

University of Montana

The Missoula-based public university whose Grizzlies football program competes in the FCS and recruits nationally for its offensive line.

David Kauvaka

A three-star offensive lineman from Lahaina, Hawaii, who played his first three high school seasons at Lahainaluna before transferring to Mater Dei High School in California.

The details

Kauvaka plays at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where the team is 8-2 and ranked No. 13 nationally by MaxPreps. He took an official visit to Montana from Oct. 16-18 after receiving offers from Idaho, Boise State, UNLV and others.

May 2025: Idaho offered Kauvaka his first scholarship.
February 2026: Boise State offered a scholarship.
April 2026: UNLV offered a scholarship.
Oct. 16-18, 2026: Kauvaka took his official visit to Montana.
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026: Kauvaka announced his commitment to Montana.

Season Trajectory

Montana's 2027 class is building around a mix of in-state and out-of-state linemen as the program recruits against a crowded Mountain West and Pac-12 landscape. Kauvaka's commitment, which came after he visited several FBS schools, signals the Grizzlies are competing for prospects who also hold Power Four and Group of Five offers.

For Grizzlies followers, Kauvaka's commitment adds a 310-pound body to the 2027 offensive line recruiting board. Fans tracking the class can monitor his progress through the 247Sports profile listed for him.

The takeaway

Recruiting commitments made in the fall often reflect a program's late-cycle momentum, so tracking how a class develops through signing day offers a clearer picture than any single announcement.