2025 USC Football Signing Day
Roster
Matai Tagoa'i
- Position:
- Linebacker
- Height:
- 6-4
- Weight:
- 200
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Las Vegas, Nev.
- High School:
- San Clemente High School
Tagoa’i, a four-star recruit, is ranked as the No. 97 player in the nation by On3, No. 104 by Rivals, No. 158 by ESPN and No. 162 by 247Sports. He is rated as the No. 5 player in the state of California by On3, No. 8 by Rivals, No. 14 by 247Sports and No. 15 by ESPN. He is touted as the No. 9 linebacker in the country by On3 and Rivals, No. 13 by 247Sports and No. 19 by ESPN. He is 98th on the On300 List, 104th on the Rivals 250, 158th on the ESPN 300 List and 160th on the Top 247 List. He has been named a 2025 Polynesian Bowl All-Star. As a senior in 2024, he recorded 52 tackles, including 12.5 for loss ( with 5 sacks), 7 QBHs, 4 PBUs and 1 forced fumble as he helped the Tritons reach the CIF-SS Quarterfinals. Prior to the season, he was named to the 2024 Preseason All-State Second Team, the 2024 Cal-Hi Sports Preseason All-State Second Team and was ranked the No. 1 linebacker in CIF-SS by Sports Illustrated. He participated in the 2024 US Army Bowl Combine in Mission Viejo, Calif. and the 2024 All 22 Regional. As a junior in 2023, he recorded 59 tackles, including 8 for loss (with 7 sacks), 7 QBHs, 3 PBUs, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. San Clemente had one of the state’s top defenses that season and won the 2023 South Coast League Championship. He was named to the 2023 All-CIF Team, the 2023 All-Orange County Second Team, the 2023 Prep RedZone All-Southern California Junior Team, the 2023 All-South Coast League First Team. He was invited to compete in the 2023 Premium Invitational. As a sophomore at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas, he tallied 73 tackles, including 6 for loss (with 5 sacks), 9 PBUs, 7 QBHs, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 INT. He was named to the 2022 Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada First Team and the 2022 Las Vegas Sun All-State Second Team. He was named MVP of the 2021 Football University Camp in Las Vegas. Tagoa’i also played basketball.
