Talanoa Ili is making waves across the country. The star linebacker, now at Kahuku High in Hawaii, has gained the focus of the College coaches nationwide. According to reports, Ili’s latest stop was Brigham Young University, where he checked out practice last week.
Talanao Ili Visits BYU With Other Programs Lined Behind Him
Talanoa Ili, ranked No. 78 in the On3 Industry Ranking, isn’t slowing down. He’s on his fresh-off trips to Oklahoma, Oregon, and USC. Each of the visits helped him gain more substance in his recruitment run.
At USC, the Trojans made a strong case. “What made the visit so good was the quality of the one-on-one time with the staff,” Ili shared. He felt their vision loud and clear. “The message from the staff was how important I am to the vision of USC football and how they want to keep me home.”
USC’s pull grew stronger during his March 11 visit. Coach Lincoln Riley and linebacker coach Rob Ryan left an impression. “He’s one of a kind,” according to Ili. On the other end, Oregon also refuses to back off.
Ili’s been to Eugene four times. This last trip showed him their practice ambiance. “Oregon is one of my top schools,” he said—Oklahoma’s in the mix too. Ili visited Norman this month. Coach Brent Venables caught his eye. “I really like coach Venables and how he goes about things,” Ili noted. The Sooners will host him again in June.
Now, BYU got its shot. Ili watched the Cougars practice on March 21, getting a good feel for how things are done in the program. His official visits will kick off soon: UCLA on May 10, BYU on May 27, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Texas, USC, and Oregon through June.
At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Ili has all the ingredients to become a prominent star. Greg Biggins of 247Sports calls him “a complete, every down linebacker with a very high ceiling.”
He can rush the edge or drop into coverage. His speed and smarts shine. Some think he could bulk up into an edge rusher. Others see him thriving as a linebacker. Either way, he’s a prize for any team he joins.
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USC wants Ili very desperately. They’ve got talent like Kamari Ramsey returning at safety. Ili could join as their highest-rated safety since Zion Branch in 2022. Oregon and Oklahoma won’t let him go easy, though. “It is going to be a close race to the end and a very tough decision,” Ili admitted. For now, all eyes are on Provo. What can BYU pull off?
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