Notre Dame and USC may not have played on the field in 2020 but the rivalry remains strong in terms of recruiting as the two powerhouse programs find themselves again battling each other for star talent.

Thursday saw Notre Dame make a scholarship offer to one of the nation’s best linebackers, who happens to already be committed to USC.

Niuafe Tuihalamaka is graded as a four-star linebacker on 247Sports and committed to the Trojans back on February 4 of last year. That didn’t stop Notre Dame from extending an offer over 11 months later, however.

Wow! I am truly excited to say that I have received a(n) offer from
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME!! ☘️@BrianPolian @GregBiggins @adamgorney @AlemanyFootball @NDFootball pic.twitter.com/fZ9ZKIDERG

— Niuafe Junior Tuihalamaka (@JuniorNiuafe) January 21, 2021

The Mission Hills, California (Bishop Alemany) product checks in at 6-1, 238 pounds and is rated as a top-five interior linebacker in the 2022 recruiting class.

The star linebacker has over 15 offers listed among the likes of Florida, LSU, Oregon, Texas, and others including USC and now Notre Dame.

Notre Dame currently has five commitments in the 2022 class but none at linebacker.