Tuli Tuipulotu Explained

Tuli Tuipulotu
Current Team:	Los Angeles Chargers
Number:	45
Position:	Linebacker
Birth Date:	3 September 2002
Birth Place:	Hawthorne, California, U.S.
Height Ft:	6
Height In:	3
Weight Lbs:	266
College:	USC (2020–2022)
Draftyear:	2023
Draftround:	2
Draftpick:	54
Pastteams:	Los Angeles Chargers (–present)
Status:	Active
Highlights:	PFWA All-Rookie Team (2023) Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year (2022) Morris Trophy (2022) Unanimous All-American (2022) Polynesian College Football Player of the Year (2022) 2× First-team All-Pac 12 (2021, 2022)
Statweek:	11
Statseason:	2024
Statlabel1:	Total tackles
Statvalue1:	86
Statlabel2:	Sacks
Statvalue2:	11.5
Statlabel3:	Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:	3
Statlabel4:	Fumble recoveries
Statvalue4:	1
Statlabel5:	Pass deflections
Statvalue5:	3
Statlabel6:	Touchdowns
Pfr:	TuipTu00

Tuli Tuipulotu (born September 3, 2002) is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was named the Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American in 2022. He played college football for the USC Trojans.

Early life

Tuipulotu grew up in Hawthorne, California and attended Lawndale High School. He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at USC over offers from California, Utah, Washington, and Stanford.^{[1] [2]} He is of Tongan descent.^[3]

College career

As a freshman, Tuipulotu played in all six games with three starts in USC's COVID-19 shortened 2020 season and had 22 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss of and two sacks.^{[4] [5]} He was named first-team All-Pac-12 Conference after recording 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and a team 5.5 sacks.^{[6] [7]} Tuipulotu was named a team captain entering his junior season. He finished the season with an FBS-leading 13.5 sacks, and was named a finalist for the Bednarik, Nagurski, and Hendricks awards.

Professional career

Tuipulotu was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft.^[8] He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team.^[9]

Personal life

Tuipulotu's older brother, Marlon Tuipulotu, also played defensive tackle at USC and currently plays in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs.^[10] He is also a cousin of former USC and current San Francisco 49ers defensive back Talanoa Hufanga.^[11]

External links

• Los Angeles Chargers bio
• USC Trojans bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: Grosbard . Adam . December 18, 2019 . Lawndale defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu signs with USC . September 28, 2022 . The Orange County Register.
2. Web site: Young . Ryan . December 20, 2019 . Scouting Report: A closer look at USC DE signee Tuli Tuipulotu . September 30, 2022 . Rivals.com.
3. Web site: Huffman . Brandon . USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu named 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year . 247Sports . 2022-12-13 . 2024-08-02.
4. Web site: Trevino . Chris . July 5, 2022 . USC's Tuli Tuipulotu among Pro Football Focus' top DTs for the 2023 NFL Draft . September 30, 2022 . 247Sports.com.
5. Web site: Kartje . Ryan . April 8, 2021 . USC is looking for hunters on their revamped defensive line . September 30, 2022 . Los Angeles Times.
6. Web site: Stephenson . Duncan . August 12, 2022 . Tuli Tuipulotu is working hard to develop under Shaun Nua . September 30, 2022 . 247Sports.com.
7. Web site: Wadleigh . Matt . December 8, 2021 . Tuli Tuipulotu earns First-Team All-Pac-12 selection . September 28, 2022 . Trojans Wire . USA Today.
8. Web site: Smith . Eric . April 28, 2023 . Chargers Draft Tuli Tuipulotu with 54th Overall Pick . June 10, 2023 . Chargers.com.
9. Web site: 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team . 2024-07-27 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
10. Web site: Kartje . Ryan . January 1, 2021 . USC defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu declares for NFL draft . September 28, 2022 . Los Angeles Times.
11. Web site: Greenspan . Dan . December 15, 2020 . Family ties lead USC's defense into Pac-12 title game . September 28, 2022 . . Associated Press.