University Southern California Trojans
2026 USC Football Signing Day
Roster
Talanoa Ili
- Position:
- Linebacker
- Height:
- 6-3
- Weight:
- 225
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Kahuku, Hawaii
- High School:
- Kahuku High School
Ili, a four-star recruit, is ranked No. 53 player in the nation by ESPN, No. 62 by 247Sports and No. 197 by Rivals. He is rated as the No. 1 player in the state of Hawaii by 247Sports and ESPN and No. 2 by Rivals. He is touted as the No. 5 linebacker in the country by 247Sports, No. 6 by ESPN and No. 11 by Rivals. He is nationally ranked 53rd on the ESPN 300 List, 62nd on the Top 247 List and 197th on the Rivals 300 List. He is a 2026 Polynesian Bowl All-Star.
He played his senior season at Kahuku HS in Hawaii. He recorded snaps all over the field as a senior, splitting time between MIKE, WILL and SAM while also being featured as a large nickel and a hand-in-the-dirt edge. Prior to the season, he was named a 2025 MaxPreps Preseason First Team All-American and a 2025 Sporting News Preseason All-American.
As a junior at Orange Lutheran in Calif. in 2024, he tallied 78 tackles, including 8.0 for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 1 PBU. He was named a 2024 MaxPreps Junior Second Team All-American. He was also selected to the All-Trinity League Second Team. Prior to the season, he was selected to the 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Junior All-American Second Team. He was also named a 2024 OCVarsity Hot 150. He was a 2024 Under Armour Next Camp Series: Maui and a 2024 Under Armour Next Camp Series: Los Angeles invitee.
As a sophomore in 2023, he recorded 51 tackles, including 15.0 for loss (with 4.0 sacks) and 2 forced fumbles. He was selected to the 2023 All-CIF Southern Section Team. Prior to the season, he was named a 2023 MaxPreps Preseason Sophomore Second Team All-American. He was a 2023 Under Armour Next Camp Series: Los Angeles and a 2023 Rivals Camp Series Los Angeles invitee.
As a freshman in 2022, he notched 70 tackles, including 15.0 for loss (with 4.0 sacks) and 3 forced fumbles. He was named to the 2022 All- Orange County Team, the 2022 All-CIF Southern Section Team and the 2022 All-Trinity League First Team
Ili also competed in track and field at Orange Lutheran. He posted a 12.34 in the 100-meter dash, 25.77 in the 200-meter dash and a 5-5 effort in the high jump. He also played youth rugby.
