Tag: Talanoa Ili

Oregon Ducks predicted to land No. 3 LB in 2026 recruiting class

Oregon’s 2026 could get even stronger after the latest prediction.

With the biggest game in Autzen Stadium history on tap, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks brought in a long list of blue-chip recruits to check out the atmosphere and see what the program in the Pacific Northwest was about.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that we’re seeing the start of a recruiting boon take place after Oregon took down Ohio State, 32-31 in front of those recruits.

While the Ducks already have a pair of commitments that came following the victory, they’ve picked up a massive prediction to land four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili, one of the best players in the 2026 class.

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Ili is rated by 247Sports as the No. 28 player in the 2026 class and the No. 3 LB in the nation.

On Tuesday, 247Sports analyst Tom Loy placed a crystal ball prediction for Ili to commit to the Ducks, where he would join the No. 1 recruiting class in the 2026 cycle.

The Ducks are recruiting against Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC to land Ili, but they are obviously in a good spot for his commitment.

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USC makes 2026 four-star linebacker a top priority

USC tries to keep an in-state linebacker home.

2026 Orange (Calif.) Lutheran linebacker Talanoa Ili was offered by the USC Trojans back in December of 2022 as a freshman. With USC football in the hunt for the four-star prospect, Ili is entering his junior season in high school as one of the best linebackers in the nation.

Along with the USC Trojans, the 6-3, 200-pound linebacker has received offers from Cal, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, Florida, Miami, Penn State, Texas A&M, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, Nebraska, Auburn, Utah, Michigan State, UCLA, Arizona State, Stanford, Kansas and Arizona.

Ili is a big-time athlete who can do a lot for a prospective defense. He is well thought of as a recruit, currently ranked as the No. 53 overall player and a four-star prospect in the 2026 recruiting class according to Rivals.

In 10 games in his sophomore, Ili was a true playmaker for Orange Lutheran on defense. He finished last season with 51 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and four sacks. He also forced two fumbles.

Here is a breakdown of Ili’s athletic profile from 247Sports.com national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins:

“Probably best all around linebacker in state right now, regardless of class. Long, athletic 6-3, 215 pound frame and still growing. Can rush off the edge, play in space and drop and cover. Twitchy kid who plays fast but under control. Has looked really good at a pair of off-season events- 7v7 tourney and LB Showcase. Productive and earned 1st team all-league honors after both freshman and sophomore seasons in highly competitive Trinity League. Very active with non-stop motor.

“High football IQ, can quickly read, diagnose and go. Could grow in to an edge rusher down the road but has the athleticism to stay at linebacker and can play inside or outside. A complete, every down linebacker with a very high ceiling.”

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