Rivals.com 24/7Sports O3n OUTSIDE LINEBACKER •6'4" | 215 LBS CLASS OF 2026 @ LUTHERAN | ORANGE, CA Ohio State has offered.
Thankful for the Lords blessings, extremely humbled and blessed to have received an offer from The Ohio State University! Thank you @CoachJimKnowles for believing in me and my talents. #GoBucks 🌰 @OLuFootball @GregBiggins @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/USTtAz84Xx— Talanoa Ili (@talanoaili) April 28, 2023
Check out Freshman Season Highlights by Talanoa Ili on @hudl https://t.co/F8oGKuP7OQ #hudl— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) April 30, 2023
#OhioState is latest offer for 2026 linebacker Talanoa Ili (VIP via @GregBiggins)https://t.co/1q26OqjiLr pic.twitter.com/HSEHw8PWNt— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) April 29, 2023
TALANOA ILI The California linebacker was the lone 2026 prospect Ohio State offered over the weekend with Knowles offering him on Friday. While 2026 prospects do not hold composite rankings as of yet, Ili has picked up seven Division I offers, with the other six consisting of Arizona, California, Michigan State, Stanford, Tennessee and USC. In his freshman season at Orange Lutheran (Orange, California), the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Ili recorded 70 tackles (15 for loss), four sacks, nine quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles.
California 2026 linebacker Talanoa Ili was thrilled on April 28 when Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles called with good news. One day after Knowles saw the 6-foot-3, 215-pound prospect practice in Orange, California, he was ready to pull the trigger and offer him. “It feels great,” Ili told Eleven Warriors about getting an OSU offer. “Coach Knowles was at my school, we talked for a bit then he offered me on the phone a day later. He told me he believed in me and was impressed with my film. He told me they don’t really offer kids (this young), but he was willing to offer me, and I was very appreciative of that. It’s really humbling and it’s great knowing a nationally ranked team like that offers you.” Ili has earned 11 Division I offers, with the other 10 consisting of Arizona, California, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, San Diego State, Stanford, Tennessee, USC and Utah. Knowles’ visit was the first time Ili had heard from Ohio State, and the rising linebacker prospect said he’s excited to continue getting to know the Buckeyes. “It feels great and I’m very blessed I’m able to receive all these opportunities and that all these coaches believe in me,” Ili said. “I’d say the crowd and environment, the love and coaching and where I’d fit in the defensive scheme will be important (factors in my decision one day).” Ili said he hopes to visit OSU later this year, but is unsure of any specific dates. In his freshman season at Orange Lutheran, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Ili recorded 70 tackles (15 for loss), four sacks, nine quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. “I’d say my pass rushing, but I know I can cover as well,” Ili said of his best on-field attributes. “Both of them are pretty even, 50-50 I’d say.” Ili is the second linebacker OSU has offered in the 2026 class, with the other being California prospect Samu Moala.