Curtis Murayama: Former Kapolei star receiver Stribling one to watch in NFL Draft
NFL Draft lovers, D-Day is almost here.
The draft will be held April 23-25 and the months of scrutiny, over-analysis and mocking — yes, I’m talking about the thousands of mock drafts on all platforms — will be over.
The NFL spotlight has been focused on prospects since last college season started. It heightened during the playoffs and has intensified ever since the NFL Combine in February.
It’s time to shed light on a player who has seemed to be in the shadows: Former Kapolei star De’Zhaun Stribling, a wide receiver who finished his career at Ole Miss.
I’m not sure why he’s been overlooked because he’s as talented as they come. He’s got size (6-2, 207), good hands (big hands, too, at 10 inches), speed (4.36) and leaping ability (36 inches).
He became Trinidad Chambliss’ go-to guy on third downs as well as the team’s deep threat. He zoomed by Georgia defenders for an eye-popping, 75-yard touchdown reception last October.
He excelled in three Ole Miss playoff games — 5 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD vs. Tulane; 7 catches for 122 yards vs. Georgia and 5 catches for 77 yards vs. Miami .
Against the Hurricanes, Chambliss targeted Stribling on a deep pass on the final play — you know, the play in which Stribling was held the whole way but no penalty was called.
He has high-draft status written all over him. At the NFL Combine, he was articulate and respectful, confident but not cocky.
So why the lack of attention?
Maybe, it’s because this year’s draft is deep in wide receiver talent — six could go in the first round and another six by the second round.
Maybe, it’s because he wasn’t a high-demand, high-profile high school recruit, being a three-star athlete who didn’t make the All-State first team.
Maybe, it’s because he took a gap year after his 2020 graduation, mainly because of COVID.
Maybe, it’s because he had a well-traveled career, starting in 2021 at Washington State (2 seasons), then Oklahoma State (2 years) before finishing up at Ole Miss.
Maybe, it’s because he played under five different head coaches in his five seasons, with coaching turmoil at every stop. Nick Rolovich (WSU) and Mike Gundy (OSU) were fired for different reasons, with Gundy being dismissed the year after Stribling left a team that finished 3-9. Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU before the playoffs.
Or just maybe, teams want to feign a lack of interest so they can get him in the later rounds.
Even while dabbling in online NFL Draft simulators — which can be a fun exercise — I got a D+ grade when I picked him in the sixth round. But that was before the combine. Another simulation the other day garnered a B+ grade when I selected him in the fourth round by the 49ers .
But that just illustrates how the process works, when hidden gems get unearthed the more you dig.
At the NFL Combine, the media started digging.
They asked about his background and where he’s from.
“I was born in Kapolei, Hawaii,” he told the media scrum. “Moved to North Carolina for a couple of years, then moved to San Diego and then moved back home to Hawaii.”
He said his father is a Marine, explaining his nomadic upbringing. It also explains why during a high school interview he listed the Carolina Panthers as his favorite team.
When asked where his love for football started, he was quick to say, “For sure in Hawaii. It kinda started a little bit in California playing over there at a young age. But when I got back to Hawaii, that’s when it kinda grew on me the most.”
Stribling was a three-sport athlete at Kapolei, participating in football, basketball and track and field. In one football game against Kamehameha in 2019, he accounted for touchdowns passing, receiving and rushing.
During the combine, Pittsburgh Steelers media members asked if he knew wideout Roman Wilson , a Saint Louis product who was the team’s third-round pick from 2024, and if knew of DK Metcalf , an Ole Miss alum who is now with the Steelers after being traded from the Seahawks in 2025.
Stribling said he played on the same Pylon team with Wilson in Hawaii and “we have a good relationship.”
As for Metcalf, Stribling said, “I watched him a lot growing up and watched him a lot at Ole Miss. Just his physicality stands out to me. How he gets open, how he uses his hands and his body to get people off of him. I’m a big fan of his game.”
He was also peppered with numerous questions about the Buffalo Bills , such as playing in cold weather.
“I played football up in (Pullman) Washington my first two years,” he said. “I was up there in cold, cold weather, so nothing new. I’m ready for any adventure that comes.”
Stribling has all the traits to not only be drafted by the third round but also making a team and eventually making an impact. In fact, I don’t see much separation between him and some of the first-round prospects.
Draft sites are all over the place in his ranking. Pro Football Focus has him listed as the 112th-best prospect. NFL.com has him tied for 72nd. Two other draft simulator sites have him at No. 149 and 150.
I think teams would love to get him on the third day of the draft, when rounds four through seven are held. But his ability screams otherwise.
Stribling reportedly has a few 30 visits lined up already. (NFL teams are allowed to host 30 player visits; hence, the term that’s become known as 30 visits.) Reportedly, he’ll visit the Bears, Patriots and Bucs. He’s had formal interviews with the Steelers, Seahawks and Rams .
I view him a more dynamic Jauan Jennings , the ex-49er receiver, because of his reliability and blocking ability.
“Just try to establish dominance however I can, I feel like that’s part of the game, running and hitting, so just doing my part and blocking someone and making the running back’s life a lot easier,” he said while explaining his blocking mindset.
When asked what he thinks his elite trait is, Stribling said, “Ability to get open, my catch radius and when I get the ball in my hands, I feel like I’m very fast. I get all the yards that I can and I just make a lot of plays.”
While sounding more honest than boastful, Stribling answered another question about his overall game.
“I’m very versatile in what I do at the receiver position. I did a lot this year for Ole Miss. Vertical threat, catching practice throws and also blocking a lot. I’ve done it all, I can do it all. And I showcased a lot my abilities doing that.”
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Reach Curtis Murayama at cmurayama@staradvertiser.com .
