USC Lands Four-Star Edge Rusher, Choosing Trojans Over Notre Dame and Texas A&M
USC added a major recruiting win by securing local standout edge rusher Alifeleti “Tolo” Tuihalamaka, boosting their chances of consecutive No. 1 recruiting classes.
Tuihalamaka, a versatile 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive lineman from Oaks Christian High, selected USC over other finalists including Stanford, Cal, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame, where his older brother played. He joins the ranks of highly sought-after talents from his high school, a program that previously produced five-star recruits like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Hayden Lowe.
He’ll be reunited with high school teammate and four-star running back Deshonne Redeaux, who is already practicing at USC.
Work Ethic and Skills
USC defensive line coach Shaun Nua led efforts to recruit Tuihalamaka, a disruptive and powerful player with an explosive first step and a growing array of pass-rush moves. Near the end of the season, he also showed versatility by sliding inside on defense. Tuihalamaka has trained with NFL talents like Domata Peko, J.T. Tuimoloau, and his brother Junior Tuihalamaka, enhancing his development.
Impact on USC Football
This commitment strengthens USC’s local recruiting pipeline and is a key addition for new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, whose 4-2-5 scheme emphasizes quarterback pressure. Tuihalamaka’s presence creates opportunities for strategic defensive versatility and could pair effectively with prized 2026 signee Tomuhini Topui to form a formidable interior and edge rushing combination.
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