Talanoa Hufanga declares for the 2021 NFL Draft

The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is headed to the NFL as USC Trojans S Talanoa Hufanga has announced he’ll forgo his final year of eligibility with the Trojans and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

Hufanga penned a long message to his large support network, and followed it up with a highlight reel for the ages.

This is as high as his draft stock would certainly get after he rocketed to fame with a slew of amazing plays this season. Hufanga went on to thank everyone from past USC greats to future stars of the Cardinal and Gold.

“It is truly an honor to wear the Cardinal and Gold and have the opportunity to earn a degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. Over the last three years, I have gotten to connect and grow with so many amazing individuals in the USC and Los Angeles communities and for that I am forever grateful.

After much thought and discussion, I have decided to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. My experiences over the last three years have been some of the greatest of my life and I will cherish them forever. These unforgettable memories couldn’t have been made possible without the support of so many special individuals.

Thank you to all those members of the USC and Los Angeles communities who have challenged me and helped me grow into the person I am today. The support of the Trojan Family is unlike that of any other. To Coach Helton, for the constant mentoring and belief in me. To all the coaches I have had the privilege to learn from, dating back to Pop Warner, through high school and my college experience. To all the unsung support staff heroes on campus, from strength to videos to equipment to athletic medicine to academic support to marketing to athletics administration to Galen dining to athletic security to custodial. You all make it possible for us to play the game we love, excel on campus, and promote growth in our community each and every day.

To my USC brothers, past, present and future. The bond we share as teammates is unbreakable and I can’t thank you enough for the support and experiences we have been able to share together throughout this process. While these last several months have been extremely trying for our nation, I can’t express how much I enjoyed being back out on the field with each and every one of you this season.

Lastly, I want to thank my family for all of the sacrifices you have made to allow me to pursue my dream, while keeping me grounded in our faith. Without your unwavering support, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish my dreams.

FIGHT ON!

Go get ‘em, T! Fight on indeed.