Still in search of their first defensive commit from the 2026 class, the Oklahoma Sooners are among the favorites to land a big-time linebacker.
On3 reported Friday that Talanoa Ili included OU in his final seven school choices, as well as BYU, Oregon, Texas, Nortre Dame, UCLA and USC.
Truly grateful for it all! #GodsTiming https://t.co/Jfg6rTD9Bh
— Talanoa Ili (@talanoaili) February 21, 2025
Ili visited Norman on Nov. 2 when the Sooners beat Maine, and he reportedly has an official visit to OU already scheduled. OU offered him in February of last year.
Ili is a consensus four-star linebacker in the 2026 class from Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California.
Outside of his top seven, Ili also had reported offers from Ohio State, Florida, Miami (FL), Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas A&M and more.
Every major recruiting service ranks Ili as the No. 3 linebacker prospect in the 2026 class and a top-10 overall recruit in the state of California. 247Sports ranks Ili as high as the 31st best overall 2026 recruit in the country.
The Sooners have already had success in getting talent from California for their 2026 class. Of OU's four 2026 commits so far, two are from The Golden State.
OU first nabbed four-star quarterback Jaden O'Neal, who will finish his high school career at Mustang High School in Oklahoma after spending the rest of his life in California.
Most recently, four-star wide receiver Daniel Odom committed to the Sooners. Odom grew up playing with O'Neal, but now plays at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California.
The Sooners' other 2026 commits include four-star tight end Ryder Mix and three-star offensive lineman Will Conroy.
The 2026 recruiting cycle is still in the early stages, with most recruits still narrowing down choices like Ili, but OU's 2026 class currently ranks 23rd in the country, according to 247Sports.