NFL Draft Profile: Tuli Tuipulotu, Interior Defensive Lineman, USC Trojans
#49
Pos: iDL
Ht: 6032
Wt: 266
Hand: 1018
Arm: 3228
Wing: 7778
DOB: 9/3/2002
Hometown: Gardena, CA
High School: Lawndale
Eligibility: 2023
Tuli Tuipulotu
USC Trojans
One-Liners
The upside is there for Tuipulotu to be a really good pass rushing 3-tech at the next level, he just needs to improve his play strength and play against the run.
Evaluation:
The first step quickness and explosion Tuipulotu possesses from the inside is excellent. He has the natural ability to get after the quarterback from the 3-tech spot. His ability to convert speed to power is elite and he has violent hands to disrupt offensive guards. Tuipulotu already has a solid pass rush repertoire from the inside and outside, which is hard to find from only a two year player. He is a very explosive linear athlete, who is just scratching the surface of what he can become as a pass rusher. There are some wow reps on his film, where he blows a guard off his spot and then uses his natural speed to wreak havoc in the backfield. Tuipulotu is able to convert pressures into sacks from the inside, which is another great quality to have. Last season USC played Tuipulotu on the inside as a 3-tech and as a standup rusher from the outside. If he gets more reps from the inside this season, Tuipulotu will be able to show what he is fully capable of from the inside. For Tuipulotu to reach his potential, he is going to need to add play strength. He isn’t as big as his listed weight and it shows at times in the run game. He can get washed out of plays and Tuipulotu doesn’t possess the lower body strength to anchor down and hold his spot. That prevents him from stacking and shedding defenders. Tuipulotu will flash the ability to make plays in the run game, he just won’t be able to play at the next level until he adds play strength and weight. Once he does that, Tuipulotu could develop into a three down player, with high-level pass rush ability. Those kinds of players are hard to find but Tuipulotu will need to show that he can add weight and still keep his quickness and explosion from the inside.
Grade:
3rd Round
Background:
Tuli Tuipulotu is a tremendous defensive lineman for the Torjans and will be a defensive standout in 2022. Looking at his past records for the Trojans, he was one of the top lineman in the nation, where he started all twelve games for the team. He was a 2021 All Pac 12 First Team and the USC Defensive Lineman of the Year Award. In 2020, he was All American Second Team and was a standout in high school at Lawndale High School. Tuipulotu has an extensive family background in football where his brother played for the Philadelphia Eagles. Currently, Tuli Tuipulotu is a communication major at USC.
