Top-100 LB Talanoa Ili down to UCLA and USC with commitment date set

Kahuku (Hi.) four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili has hit the fast-forward button on his recruitment.

After taking official visits to both UCLA and USC, the top-ranked player in Hawaii this cycle tells On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he will now choose between the Los Angeles schools and will announce a commitment on Sunday, June 15.

Ili had OVs to Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Texas and BYU lined up as well, but those trips are now cancelled.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is the No. 97 overall prospect and No. 6 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine heavily favors Lincoln Riley and the Trojans. Four predictions from recruiting insiders have been logged in favor of USC landing Ili, adding to the No. 1 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

When speaking with On3’s Chad Simmons last month, Ili tabbed USC as a top contender:

“I am being patient with everything and taking it all in, but I am leaning towards USC,” Ili said. “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.”

“When they were winning a lot at USC, they were keeping the California kids home. 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.”

UCLA had Ili on campus for an OV in early May. The Bruins have been in his recruitment for a long time, too. DeShaun Foster and his staff will look to swipe one from the Trojans this coming weekend. Ili would be the highest-ranked member of UCLA’s 2026 class if he were to choose the Bruins.