2026 LB Talanoa Ili Talks Notre Dame Offer

Talanoa Ili‍ knows about Notre Dame and he knows about the Irish’s annual Pot of Gold Day, which is why the 2026 California linebacker was so excited about being offered by the school on St. Patrick’s Day. 

“It means a lot,” Ili told Irish Sports Daily. “It is really special, especially on this day.”

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder also has offers from schools like USC, Stanford, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, Florida, Miami and Ohio State among several others.

But even though Ili just announced the offer last month, the Orange Lutheran standout has already built bonds with the Irish.

“How they recruit me and how it's a great tradition, especially on Pot of Gold Day, it feels special,” he said.

“I know that they have great tradition in football and the whole university and it's preparing people for the next level and also for life.”

Ili has been in regular conversations with defensive coordinator Al Golden and linebackers coach Max Bullough.

“They're just saying that they want to build that relationship and they're trying to get me out to go visit,” he said.

Ili isn’t sure when he’ll be in South Bend, but does expect to be there at some point this year.

“I plan to get there in the summer,” he said. “I just want to see the campus and how everything runs the school and then build relationships with the coaches in person.”

He picked up an offer from UCLA during a visit to Westwood earlier this month, but the rest his itinerary is up in the air.

“As of right now, I don't have any plans or visits.”

Men's Under Armour Navy Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic Replica Jersey