What's Next For Zion Tupuola-Fetui's Development?

Zion Tupuola-Fetui became a national sensation during the COVID-shortened 2020 season when he recorded seven sacks over the four games Washington played that year. He was named to third team All-America by the Associated Press and was widely regarded as a future first-round NFL draft pick heading into 2021.

Then he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the spring of 2021. While he was able to play in five games that year before missing the final two because of a separate injury, it was clear he still had some work to do before he was ready for the next level.

Once 2022 rolled around, he began to return to form, playing in every game and recording 4.5 sacks for the year. He shared a lot of snaps with Jeremiah Martin but looks to have a starting spot secured across from All-America candidate Bralen Trice to start 2023. But there's still work to do in his senior year.

.@UW_Football’s Zion Tupuola-Fetui led nation w/ 1.75 sacks per game in Covid shortened 2020 but he doesn’t just hunt QBs. ZTF also has knock-back to set a hard edge and finish when runs come his way. 3-4 teams will like @ztupufet as an every-down OLB.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/CS0g6hG62b
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) June 12, 2022

"I think I'm viewed as a pass rusher who doesn't like to play the run," Tupuola-Fetui said during spring practice. "I'm very capable of playing the run. I'm very focused on strike, throwing my stuff in the mix, and me and my coaches really attacked that part of my game this offseason. I feel like there's no way that someone's going to talk about me next year as someone who doesn't stop the run because I'll be there all season, I'll set the edge."

Playing at somewhere between 250-260 pounds, this is the closest ZTF has been weight-wise to where he was in 2020 when he was playing at close to 280 pounds. The extra weight will go a long way toward helping him set the edge and help him generate additional power as a pass rusher too.

Keeping his job as the starter in 2023 won't be easy. Sioux Falls transfer Zach Durfee impressed the coaching staff with his burst and athleticism throughout spring and will push him for minutes.

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