Notre Dame A Top School For Versatile Defender Talanoa Ili
Notre Dame has recruited the linebacker position about as well as any school in the country since Marcus Freeman came to the program. They look to continue that impact on the recruiting trail moving forward. In the 2026 recruiting class, they are already trending in a great direction with Orange (Calif.) Lutheran star defender Talanoa Ili.
In fact, the Irish are one of the top two schools that have already begun to separate themselves. Ili had a lot of great things to say about Notre Dame and their early relationship.
"Recruiting has been going really well recently,” Ili told Irish Breakdown. "Two schools that have been trending really well with me are Notre Dame and Ohio State. They have been standing out.
"I’ve had the chance to speak with Notre Dame pretty often, as much as we can,” he continued. "The relationship has been building really well with them. They really seem to be excited about me.”
Getting in such a great early position is a testament to Notre Dame’s efforts. That impact has been made without even having visited South Bend yet. There isn’t anything set up currently but with how things are trending, it’s a good bet he will be making the trip in the future.
"I do not have any school visits planned as of right now,” Ili explained. “I’m hoping to get out to see a few places but there is nothing set in stone.
"Notre Dame is definitely a place I would like to see,” Ili added. “They have a great reputation as a program and a lot of history. I’m excited to continue to grow out relationship.”
Ili is a big time athlete that can do a lot for a prospective defense. He is well thought of as a recruit thus far, currently sitting as the No. 53 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class according to Rivals.
The 6-3, 200-pound defender has already demanded the attention of some big time programs nationally. Some of Ili’s top offers thus far include the Irish, Ohio State, Texas, USC, Florida, Miami, Penn State, Texas A&M, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, Nebraska, Auburn, Utah, Michigan State, Oregon State, Arizona State, Stanford, Kansas, Arizona and Cal among others.
In 10 games as a sophomore, Ili was a playmaker for Orange Lutheran. He finished with 51 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss and four sacks. Ili also forced two fumbles.
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