UCLA football is included in the dozens of schools that have extended offers to Talanoa Ili, a highly regarded linebacker from Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. With national powerhouse programs expressing daily interest and approximately 30 schools visiting him in January, his recruitment is beginning to take shape.
Ili, ranked as the No. 62 prospect and the 3rd best linebacker in the On3 Industry Ranking, has scheduled official visits with seven universities. His itinerary begins with a local visit to the Bruins in Westwood on May 10th, followed by a trip to Provo to visit BYU on May 27th. In June, Ili will travel to Oklahoma (June 6th), Notre Dame (June 10th), Texas (June 13th), USC (June 17th), and Oregon (June 22nd).
“These are my top seven schools and the schools that I’ll be focusing on,” Ili told On3.
Talanoa Ili Names UCLA Football In Top 7, OV Scheduled For June
The schedule Talanoa Ili has set for his official visits provides each of the seven schools ample opportunity to demonstrate why they should be his chosen destination. As he enters the spring evaluation period, a select group of programs has emerged as frontrunners in his recruitment.
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“I would say the schools that I’ve visited already, have an edge. Those are Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Oklahoma. I do think it’s a tight race though.”
Greg Biggins of 247 Sports says Ili is “Probably best all around linebacker in state right now, regardless of class. Long, athletic 6-3, 215 pound frame and still growing. Can rush off the edge, play in space and drop and cover. Twitchy kid who plays fast but under control. Has looked really good at a pair of off-season events- 7v7 tourney and LB Showcase. Productive and earned 1st team all-league honors after both freshman and sophomore seasons in highly competitive Trinity League.
Very active with non-stop motor. High football IQ, can quickly read, diagnose and go. Could grow in to an edge rusher down the road but has the athleticism to stay at linebacker and can play inside or outside. Was clocked at 20.2 MPH on the Catapult GPS Sept 8 when the Lancers played Chandler (Ariz.). A complete, every down linebacker with a very high ceiling.”