The USC Trojans have made a massive push in their recruitment of four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili, and it’s all thanks to a bold new direction from recently hired GM Chad Bowden. Once considered a long shot to land the top prospect out of Hawaii, USC has now gained serious momentum after Bowden implemented a recruiting strategy laser-focused on keeping elite West Coast talent close to home.
USC Surges for Talanoa Ili After Recruiting Strategy Shift
“Everything changed after Chad Bowden became GM and really shifted the narrative to keeping the California kids home,” Ili told On3. That shift has resonated not only in Southern California but now across the Pacific, with USC firmly back in the mix for the nation’s No. 3 linebacker and Hawaii’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class.
USC has come from behind to grab the momentum for 4-star LB Talanoa Ili.
“Everything changed after Chad Bowden became GM and really shifted the narrative to keeping the California kids home,” Ili told On3.
The latest: https://t.co/HaEDfWMiAN (On3+) pic.twitter.com/RB1RkHcDDd
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) May 6, 2025
USC’s pursuit of Ili took a significant step forward when defensive line coach Shaun Nua and senior defensive analyst Rob Ryan traveled to Hawaii to meet Ili and his family.
A viral photo posted by Ili’s father, Glen, shows the two Trojan coaches visiting the Ili household, an image that quickly circulated among college football circles and further fueled speculation about a potential USC commitment.
As of now, Ili has not made a decision, but the tone of his recent comments has Trojan fans buzzing. He spoke highly of the attention and effort USC has shown in recent weeks, a major contrast from earlier in the recruiting process when the Trojans appeared to be lagging behind other top programs.
The timing couldn’t be better for USC. Despite owning the No. 1-ranked 2026 recruiting class in the country, with 27 verbal commitments, the Trojans currently do not have a single linebacker pledged to the program. Adding Ili would not only fill a critical positional gap but also solidify the class as one of the most well-rounded in school history.
The recruitment of Ili also highlights a larger trend under Bowden’s leadership: rebuilding USC’s recruiting identity by prioritizing regional relationships. While the Trojans have long been a national brand, recent classes under previous regimes lost ground in their own backyard.
Bowden’s vision, backed by head coach Lincoln Riley and his staff, appears to be reversing that trend and making USC a destination for top West Coast and Polynesian talent once again.
KEEP READING: Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans Flex Recruiting Power With Early 2026 Recruiting Surge
Stretching their reach to the islands is no small feat, but USC’s pursuit of Ili shows how seriously they’re taking this new approach. With the coaching staff back on the road and no signs of slowing down, the Trojans are pushing to turn momentum into a commitment from one of the most coveted linebackers in the country.
If Talanoa Ili joins USC, he’ll be the first linebacker in the class and a cornerstone for what could be a championship-contending defense in years to come. And it all started with a recruiting strategy shift that’s already paying dividends.
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