Caizel Jesus-Kapesi, a 268-pound high school quarterback nicknamed “Fatboy,” has been drawing the attention of fans with the way he has been dominating on the gridiron.
Only a sophomore, Jesus-Kapesi has already led Aiea High School in Hawaii to a 2-0 record to start the 2026 season. However, he was already on some football fans’ radar last year as a freshman when he threw for 495 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Nanakuli.
Only Moanalua’s Kawika-Keama Jacobe, Kapolei’s Taulia Tagovailoa and Mililani’s McKenzie Milton had ever put up higher single-game passing totals in Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) history.
That performance earned Caizel Jesus-Kapesi notice as KHON’s Cover2 Rising Star. He ended up the season passing for a state-leading 3,264 yards and 33 touchdowns while leading Aiea High School to the OIA Division I championship game.
How did he get the nickname ‘Fatboy’ and how does he feel about it?
The nickname “Fatboy” doesn’t bother Caizel Jesus-Kapesi because he has had it for as long as he can remember. According to a profile done by Hawaii Sports Radio earlier this month, when he was born weighing 10 pounds, Jesus-Kapesi’s parents, Clisha and TeeJay Jesus-Kapesi, affectionately called him “Fatboy.” Sixteen years later, it’s still his nickname.
“I like it because it’s always been my nickname,” Jesus-Kapesi said. “But I rock with it because everyone knows me by Fatboy or they call me Fatz.”
It only took Jesus-Kapesi until the third game of his freshman season for fans to realize he was special. He completed 20 of 36 passes for four touchdowns without committing a turnover. In the OIA Division I championship game, he threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a 21-19 loss.
“Last year was super good,” said Aiea offensive coordinator Keola Willing. “He caught on, asked questions when he needed to and he just kind of clicked. The offense clicked.”
“One thing he’s trying to work on this year is his leadership because he’s so young,” Willing added. “He’s working with seniors and juniors and it’s there. They respect him.”