4-star LB Matai Tagoa'i locks in Washington official visit

One of the top linebackers in the 2025 recruiting class has locked in an official visit to the 2023 national runners-up.

San Clemente (Calif.) four-star linebacker Matai Tagoa’i told On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons that he will officially visit Washington from May 31-June 2.

Tagoa’i is the nation’s No. 68 overall prospect and No. 11 linebacker in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 7 recruit in California.

Following the departure of Kaleb DeBoer to Alabama, Washington currently holds commitments from two prospects in the 2025 class: Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral three-star quarterback Dash Beierly and San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) Junipero Serra Catholic three-star interior offensive lineman Jake Flores.

More on Matai Tagoa’i’s recruitment

Tagoa’i recently spoke with The Wolverine about the promotion of Sherrone Moore at Michigan and the growing relationship between the two.

“He hit me up the day he got signed,” Tagoa’i said. “He reminded me that I’m still a priority for them. That was a big deal for me. It’s good to hear that. He’s a younger head coach, and I know he wants to win. That’s my main goal. I want to contribute to a winning team. It would be a blessing to be a part of that.”

Michigan was forced to replace its entire defensive staff this offseason. However, new linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary recruited Tagoa’i during his time at Tennessee.

“I think it was a great hire,” Tagao’i said. “I’m very excited about the hire — me and my family. It only makes my interest in Michigan go up. The history that he has with his run defense being aggressive and the big schools he’s coached at, I think it’s a great pickup. I would be blessed to get some knowledge from him.”

Tagoa’i has also received offers from USC, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Georgia and Oregon in addition to numerous other major programs.