USC Lands Top LB: Talanoa Ili Commits
- USC's football recruiting efforts received a meaningful boost with the commitment of Talanoa Ili, a four-star outside linebacker.
- The 6-foot-4,215-pound Ili,from Orange,Calif., is the No.
- Ili credited USC linebackers coach Rob Ryan's NFL experience and the impact of general manager Chad Bowden for swaying his decision.
USC’s recruiting game just leveled up! The Trojans secured a commitment from four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili, a major win for their top-ranked 2026 class.Ili, ranked No. 53 in the ESPN 300,chose USC over UCLA,bolstering the team wiht his impressive skills. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect from California, also the No. 7 outside linebacker nationally, strengthens a class already boasting 29 commitments, including 15 ESPN 300 players. Coach Rob Ryan’s influence and General Manager chad Bowden’s focus on keeping California talent at home played crucial roles in Ili’s decision. News Directory 3 is following the latest developments.Now that USC has secured Ili, who’s next on their radar? Discover what’s next …
USC Lands Talanoa Ili, Four-Star Linebacker recruit
Updated June 15, 2025
USC’s football recruiting efforts received a meaningful boost with the commitment of Talanoa Ili, a four-star outside linebacker. Ili, ranked No. 53 in the ESPN 300 for the 2026 class, chose the Trojans over UCLA after visiting both schools this spring. He also canceled planned visits to BYU, notre Dame, Oklahoma and Texas.
The 6-foot-4,215-pound Ili,from Orange,Calif., is the No. 7 outside linebacker prospect in the nation. His decision further solidifies USC’s top-ranked 2026 recruiting class, wich now boasts 29 commitments, including 15 ESPN 300 players.
Ili credited USC linebackers coach Rob Ryan’s NFL experience and the impact of general manager Chad Bowden for swaying his decision. Bowden’s arrival has focused on keeping top California talent in-state.
“Sence Chad has come into the building,he’s really shifted the needle towards keeping California kids home,” Ili said. “That’s what really excited me because I feel in my opinion that California football is the best football in the nation. So why not keep it in L.A.?”
Eighteen of USC’s 29 commitments are from California. The Trojans’ 2026 class includes seven top-100 recruits, highlighted by five-stars Elbert Hill (No. 15 overall) and Keenyi Pepe (No. 17). Ili joins fellow linebackers Shaun Scott (No. 164) and Taylor johnson in the class.
Before transferring to Kahuku High School in hawaii for his senior year, Ili was a three-year starter at Orange Lutheran High School in California. In his junior year, he recorded 78 tackles, including eight for loss.
What’s next
With Ili committed, attention turns to the remaining top uncommitted outside linebackers in the 2026 class. Tyler Atkinson (No. 13 overall), Anthony Jones (No. 25), xavier griffin (No.28) and D.Q. Forkpa (No. 40) are among those still considering their options.