Sure, you know Hawaii for its hula dance and vibrant culture. But don’t sleep on their football scene just yet. Take Alaka’i Gilman, for example. Hailing from Laie, Hawaii. Gilman has quickly made a name for himself as one of Utah Utes’ promising safety. The Stanford transfer appeared nine times in the 2023 season and posted 50 tackles with 1 interception and 3 pass breakups. Gilman has been a quick study for the Utes, making a big impact in just four games this season, including three starts. With his Utes team already at 4-1 heading into Week 7 against Arizona State, Gilman’s dynamic play and sharp instincts have caught the attention of fans and recruiters alike.

But hold on just a second, Gilman’s success on the field isn’t just a product of his own hard work—it runs in the family. Growing up in a household where football and athleticism were second nature. His parents, especially his father, Asai Gilman, heavily influenced his journey to Stanford and beyond. So, while all eyes are currently on the newbie contributor of the Utes, there are people who want to find out more about the rest of the ‘Gilmans.’

Knowledge is key for Alaka’i Gilman’s clan

If you are a regular football fan, you must be well versed with probably the most iconic father-coach name, Deion Sanders. Similarly, you can call Asai Gilman the ‘Hawaiian coach Prime’. He is more than just a football coach for aspiring athletes in Punahou. Asai isn’t just any coach. He played football at Southern Utah University and has dedicated his career to teaching leadership and the value of education to Hawaiian student-athletes through his non-profit organization, Education 1st Hawaii. He started this with the help of his wife, Alaka’i’s mom, Keawe Gilman, a native Hawaiian. Well, ‘knowledge before all else’ is the mantra for this power couple.

The standout Punahou safety is a testament to that! Just look at what he said words before moving to Stanford. “It was a big decision. College is a big decision for all of us here. They always say it’s not a four-year commitment, but that it’s a lifetime commitment. That is super intriguing for me and I think that it’s important for me as an individual, not me as a football player, because football will end one day,” Alaka’i said. Asai would be one proud dad.

But wait till you meet the rest of the athletic freak Gilmans, each with their own athletic pursuits. The eldest, out of his seven siblings, Alohi Gilman is a household name for NFL football fans as a Safety himself for the Los Angeles Chargers. Well, this makes our key man Alaka’i not the first safety from the family. His sister, Kawelina, played soccer and rugby at Utah Valley University and BYU-Hawaii. Clearly, sports run thick in the Gilman bloodline, and it’s easy to see how Alaka’i has followed in their footsteps.

Promoting Hawaiian Football Talent

Asai Gilman’s influence extends beyond his own family. He wants to put Hawaii on the football map. He was a pioneer in promoting Hawaiian football talent, organizing some of the first camps on the islands to showcase local players to college coaches. Through these camps and his DB Tech Academy, many Hawaiian athletes have found success on the mainland, including his own sons. It’s clear how Alaka’i’s upbringing has been a unique blend of athletic development and academic focus.

This even forced former NFL player Manti Te’o to do nothing but appreciate Gilmans’ impact in Hawaii. “They’re one of those families that went out of their way to give a lot of student-athletes in our area exposure with some of the camps they used to run back in the day,” he said. This paints such a beautiful picture of such a small yet inspiring community.