Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2025 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Talanoa Ili of
Kahuku is the 2025 MaxPreps Hawaii High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior linebacker led the Red Raiders to an 8-4 record and the Division I-Open Division semifinals.
For the season, Ili tallied 53 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and one forced fumble.
Future USC Trojan Talanoa Ili is the 2025 MaxPreps Hawaii Player of the Year. (PHOTO: Brian Bautista)
One of Ili's best performances came against his former Trinity League rival, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), where he posted nine tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in a 21-18 loss.
The former Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) standout had 199 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and eight sacks during his three years playing in Southern California before transferring to Kahuku for his senior year.
Regarded as the No. 62 senior prospect in the country by 247Sports, Ili signed with USC last week.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps Hawaii Players of the Year
2021 — Kainoa Carvalho, ATH, Kahuku
2022 — Liona Lefau, LB, Kahuku
2023 — Treston McMillan, QB, Mililani
2024 — Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB, Campbell (Ewa Beach)
