Kapena Gushiken does not have to be the most talented defensive back on the Eagles' roster to make the team. He has to convince Philadelphia that he can be useful.
Although Philadelphia has given UDFAs (undrafted free agents) a spot on their 53-man roster before; he needs to keep proving that he is worth the gamble as well.
Gushiken is a Hawaii native who came to the NFL via JUCO. He began at Saddleback College, where he led the team with 8 pass breakups and was ranked the 7th overall CB in JUCO. He then transferred to Washington State for two seasons, starting 16 games, and totaled 3 interceptions and a touchdown before entering the portal and finishing his collegiate career at Ole Miss. He helped the Rebels win two College Football Playoff games in 2025. And scouts started to take notice.
At 5-foot-9 and 189 pounds, Gushiken has always had to overcome his measurables.
He is not going to win a roster spot because of his size, but he keeps earning one through hard work and talent.
And so far at the Eagles training camp, that is exactly what Gush (his nickname) has done. Overcoming what some see as a small stature by consistently making plays on the field.
The Eagles have plenty of uncertainty in the secondary beyond their starters.
Andrew Mukuba is the clear young building block at safety, and Marcus Epps appears to be DC Vic Fangio’s veteran favorite.
But after that, there are jobs to be won.
Gushiken entered camp alongside players such as Michael Carter, who is having a good camp as well, Cole Wisniewski, who has missed time due to injuries, J.T. Gray, Andre’ Sam, and Maximus Pulley in a competition that has been described as wide open.
That was all the opportunity he wanted. Kapena wanted a chance to prove that his size would not prevent him from playing. So far, so good.
He has displayed a strong skill set and a nose for the game all summer and did so again in the preseason opener against Baltimore.
Gushiken plays with leverage, gets involved in the run game, is competitive at the catch point, and shows the instincts necessary to put himself in position to make plays.
For an undrafted defensive back, special teams is usually how they punch their ticket. If he proves he can handle a spot, that could be his ticket to making the roster.
If Gushiken continues to consistently execute assignments and shows versatility, then he gives the Eagles a reason to keep him on the team, even if he is not ready to play significant defensive snaps.
Philadelphia has historically found ways to turn undrafted players into contributors.
Philadelphia lists Gushiken as a defensive back, and his ability to move between safety and the slot, or to play different roles in the secondary, could become increasingly important.
The more places defensive backs can play, the easier it becomes for a coaching staff to justify keeping them.
Gushiken’s challenge is simple: make the Eagles uncomfortable with cutting him. He needs to make it difficult for the Eagles to give it to someone else and to keep earning chances himself.
Kapena doesn’t have to win the starting safety job. He has to win a job.
