USC All-America DL Tuli Tuipulotu declares for NFL draft
Southern California All-America defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu will enter the NFL draft.
Tuipulotu, who led the FBS with 13.5 sacks as a junior, announced his decision on social media.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound edge rusher had two tackles and one sack in the eighth-ranked Trojans’ 46-45 loss to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl on Monday. He finished his college career with 21 sacks and 32 tackles for loss in 32 games.
The younger brother of USC and Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu, Tuli impressed as a freshman during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season by getting two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in six games.
This browser does not support the Video element.
His last season was his best, with Tuipulotu finishing second nationally in tackles for loss with 22. The defensive equivalent to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, Tuipulotu’s disruptive play helped a flawed defense lacking talent and depth — USC allowed 29.2 points per game and 6.5 yards per play — produce timely negative plays and takeaways.
Tuipulotu received the Morris Trophy as the best defensive lineman in the Pac-12, an award voted on by players. He was also a finalist for the Bednarik and Nagurski Awards presented to the top defender in college football and the Lombardi Award for the top offensive or defensive lineman.
Led by Williams and Tuipulotu, USC finished 11-3 and played in the Pac-12 title game and a New Year’s Six bowl in coach Lincoln Riley’s first season. The Trojans were 4-8 in 2021 when Clay Helton was fired as coach after two games.
Reporting by the Associated Press.
Read more:
- CFP title game preview: Where Georgia, TCU will try to find an edge
- CFP stumbles reveal where Michigan, Ohio State must improve
- The key to winning the CFP? A high-powered offense
- Penn State's Rose Bowl win a sign of Big Ten supremacy to come?
- TCU's fairy tale run vs. the Georgia dynasty: A fitting end to an impeccable season
Top stories from FOX Sports:
- 2022-23 NFL playoff picture: Which teams are in, who's still in the hunt
- Eagles, Vikings stall; Giants clinch playoff spot: 3 up, 3 down in Week 17
- Why MLB teams are signing stars to deals of over 10 years again
- MLB free agency tracker: Signings, best players available
- NBA Debate: Is Luka Doncic the new MVP frontrunner?
- How Pele brought the beautiful game to the United States
- CFP title game: Early odds for Georgia vs. TCU