UNLV: A versatile athlete who moved from defensive back to receiver last fall but returned to the defensive side this past spring and will look for his first action in the secondary ... Named is pronounced “kill-ah-nah-HAY MEN-dee-OH-lah-JEN-sin.”
2021: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in seven games, including two starts at receiver after moving to offense before the season … In his first collegiate start, at UTSA in Game Five, he caught five passes for 65 yards, including a 22-yarder … One week later vs. Utah State he grabbed three receptions and in the season finale at Air Force he caught two passes for 30 yards, including a season-long 28-yard play.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2021 graduate of Punahou School in Honolulu, HI … Rated as a three-star defensive back prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … Ranked the No. 168 cornerback recruit in the nation … Played both defensive back, wide receiver and long snapper during prep career … Helped the Buff and Blue to a 26-6 record in three seasons under coach Leonard Lau … As a senior in 2020, earned first team all-state honors and was selected to compete in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl ... Totaled 46 tackles, 33 pass breakups, four interceptions and did not allow a touchdown in coverage … Also competed in track and basketball at Punahou.
PERSONAL: Kilinahe Hokunui Mendiola-Jensen was born in Pearl City, HI … The son of Hoku Mendiola-Jensen and Mark Jensen … Has one older sibling, Kihune Hune, and one younger sibling, Kilinoe Makamae … Cousin Kawika Borden played football at Hawai’i (2011-14); cousin Noah Borden played football at Hawai’i (2015-18) and for the XFL’s Seattle Dragons in 2020; cousin Kamuela Borden currently plays for Hawai’i; cousin Kaluka Maiava played football for USC (2005-08) and went on to play in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns (2009-12) and Oakland Raiders (2013-14) … Undecided on a major at UNLV.
MENDIOLA-JENSEN’S RECEIVING STATS
YEAR GP-GS REC YDS AVG TD LG
2021 9-2 11 99 9.0 0 28
