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.
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
“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.
Alec DelSignore commits to OSU as PWO
Ohio State has added another local defensive prospect as a preferred walk-on for its 2023 roster. Two days after Ohio defensive end Caden Davis committed to the Buckeyes, Ohio linebacker Alec DelSignore announced his commitment to OSU on Thursday.
Committed to the brotherhood. @ryandaytime @etwill21 @N_Murph @OSUCoachHinton #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/YnG5n16FZs
— Alec DelSignore (@alec_delsignore) May 4, 2023
DelSignore had a stellar senior season for Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in 2022, racking up 102 tackles (12 for loss), two sacks and one interception and earned All-State honors. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect also played wide receiver, as he accumulated 719 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Williams Nwaneri leaves Buckeyes off top 10
A five-star defensive end with an Ohio State offer will take his talents somewhere other than Columbus. Missouri prospect Williams Nwaneri left Ohio State off his trimmed-down top 10 schools list on Thursday, instead including Missouri, Tennessee, Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Nebraska and Colorado.
Wheres home??? https://t.co/tJQO6ZzrB0
— Williams Nwaneri (@NwaneriWilliams) May 5, 2023
Nwaneri was offered by OSU on Jan. 11 and took a visit to Columbus in March for a spring practice. But now OSU will look elsewhere for defensive ends in 2024, with other possibilities including Nigel Smith, Marquise Lightfoot, Darien Mayo, Eddrick Houston and Dylan Stewart.
