I just got off the phone with 2026 outside linebacker target Talanoa Ili. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound defender attends Orange (Calif.) Lutheran and landed an offer from Notre Dame last Friday.
“I was excited,” Ili told Inside ND Sports. “Notre Dame's a big-time school and that's my grandma's favorite school … I was loving it. When I was growing up, Manti Te’o was a big part of me knowing who Notre Dame was. When I saw my grandma watching Notre Dame, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, this is the school.’”
Ili said defensive coordinator Al Golden liked his film and versatility at the linebacker position.
“I'm able to cover, play off the ball and rush the passer,” Ili said. "There's always room for improvement, and if I want to go to the next level I got to keep improving."
After having 70 tackles including 15 for loss as a freshman, Ili reports 11 offers including Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, USC, Utah and Washington.
Ili said atmosphere, education, relationship with coaches and his fit in the program's defensive scheme are important factors in his recruitment.
Rivals has not assigned any star ratings or rankings to prospects in the 2026 recruiting class.
Ili doesn’t have any set dates for visits this summer or fall but said the Irish are in strong consideration moving forward.
Link to full story:
InsideNDSports - 2026 LB Talanoa Ili on Notre Dame offer, childhood memories of Irish
2026 linebacker Talanoa Ili is excited after receiving an offer from defensive coordinator Al Golden and Notre Dame.
notredame.rivals.com
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