Talanoa Lli – Orange Lutheran – CA – Newest NUC 5 Star plays LB with a new school “EDGE” !!

Talanoa Lli: Orange Lutheran High School – Newest NUC 5 Star is the new age “EDGE” prospect !!

Talanoa Lli, is a soon to be junior at Orange Lutheran High School in California and has recently earned a five-star rating from NUC Sports.  He is now being considered as a top college football prospect for the 2026 class!

Lli is listed as a LB but when we really look into it, he has the ability to basically play 3 different positions.  As he matures and continues to train and grow into his body, one could see him playing the EDGE position, a somewhat hybrid of a Defensive End and Outside Linebacker.  Talanoa has been involved in athletics since he was a young child, and attributes much of his success to the hard work and dedication he put in while growing up. Once he entered High School he started seriously training and began to see more and more gains.  He hasn’t stopped training since and it has only brought him more and more recognition as he develops.  He has twice been named a 1st Team All-League, as a freshman and sophomore, in what is arguably the BEST football league in California, The Trinity League!

The 2026 prospect has always taken pride in being a big time contributor to his team, but his work ethic and natural athletic ability are two things that really shine through, especially since he entered high school.  During this time, he has proven himself to be a team leader and a reliable asset on and off the field. The team and coaching staff have grown somewhat accustomed to him often giving the team a spark or big play when needed.

In terms of physical ability, Lli is a 6’4” 220 pound natural athlete.  He has a tremendously quick first step winning at the line of scrimmage with a speed move or going through the offensive player with power as he can most certainly do both.  Talanoa also creates a matchup problem because he is so versatile, he has the ability to line up in multiple spots with either his hand on the ground or standing up.  The 2026 prospect is your new age “EDGE” guy with a mix of speed and power!   Additionally, his football IQ and understanding of angles are top-notch.  He finished plays with authority and plays with a relentless motor, chasing down offensive guys and making tackles from the opposite side of the field.  All of these attributes helped him earn his five-star rating from NUC Sports.

The 2026 prospect is now being recruited by some of the top college football programs in the country.  His future looks bright, and it seems likely that he will gain even more recognition and success in the future.  Schools such as USC, UCLA, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Utah, Cal, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and Ohio State all have formal offers on the table.

Off the field, Talanoa is a leader both in the locker room and in the community. He mentors younger student athletes and is a role model for aspiring football players.  He and his teammates are also involved in a number of community outreach programs, and work hard to ensure a bright future for the communities they serve!