The USC Trojans are out on the recruiting trail, and one of their recent stops was on the beautiful island of Hawaii for an in-home visit to 4-star linebacker Talanoa Ili. This visit may have strengthened the momentum they already had in landing a commitment from the talented prospect.
The Trojans received an expert prediction from On3 to land Ili back in April, and now they hope to make that a reality.
Really appreciate @CoachNua and @flowlikerob for spending time with my family and I here in Hawaii! Always great seeing you guys. #FightOn✌🏽@uscfb #ForTheCulture🇼🇸🇦🇸 pic.twitter.com/fAjkGSamLT
— Talanoa Ili (@talanoaili) May 7, 2025
USC Trojans Gaining More Momentum For Talanoa Ili
The USC Trojans currently have the No. 1 2026 recruiting class, and also have the largest number of commitments with 27. Talanoa Ili would be the 2nd linebacker in the class, joining 5-star Xavier Griffin, who is viewed as both an LB and EDGE player.
GM Chad Bowden has certainly helped in facilitating a new focus for USC recruiting, and the players are taking notice.
“Everything changed after Chad Bowden became GM and really shifted the narrative to keeping the California kids home,” Ili told On3 in an interview. “When that narrative was created, the way they recruited me shifted, and after my first visit this year, I saw USC in a different way.”
Much has been made about the USC Trojans new found focus on California. While it may not be brand new, there certainly seems to be more of an emphasis on building a wall in the state and making it very difficult for local kids to leave the proposition of staying home.
“When they were winning a lot at USC, they were keeping the California kids home,” Ili told On3. “They had guys like Reggie Bush leading the team. Staying home is what everyone is buying into and what is leading to their success with the commitments. Their class is being built on that, and that is what has my attention.”
The beautiful thing about sports, and college football specifically, is the brotherhood and bond that is built. Being a part of something greater than yourself. Lincoln Riley and his staff are pounding that message home with how they are constructing the program.
Also Read: Latest Prediction Has 5-Star Prospect Committing To Oregon Over USC Trojans
Ili is the 4th-ranked linebacker in the nation, according to On3 Industry Ranking, just behind USC commit Xavier Griffin, who is 2nd. He played locally for Orange Lutheran before moving to Hawaii for his senior season at Kahuku.
Ili begins his official visits this month, beginning with crosstown rival UCLA.
- UCLA Bruins – May 10
- BYU Cougars – May 27
- Oklahoma Sooners – June 6
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish – June 10
- Texas Longhorns – June 13
- USC Trojans – June 17
- Oregon Ducks – June 20
The competition to land Ili remains extremely high, but according to Ili himself, the USC Trojans are in the lead.
“I am being patient with everything and taking it all in, but I am leaning towards USC,” Ili told On3. “I am going to do my due diligence, and I haven’t made a decision, but USC is my leader. The Trojan Way looks nice, so it is something I am thinking about, but I still have a lot of other schools I am considering.”
This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, but Coach Ryan, Coach Nua, and the rest of the staff are having quite the impact on Talanoa Ili and his recruitment.