Tuli Tuipulotu Waiting Until After Cotton Bowl to Announce Future Plans
USC fans won’t know yet if Unanimous All-America defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu will take the field with the Trojans in the fall of 2023. But there was never a question whether the junior would be out there on Jan. 2, playing with his teammates against Tulane in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defender said after USC’s practice on Friday that he never even thought about whether he’d opt out of the Trojans’ bowl game.
“No,” he said. “I’m for sure playing. Can’t leave my brothers out there.”
As to whether he’ll stick around for spring ball and his senior season, Tuipulotu said he’ll announce that following the bowl game. Right now, he said he’s undecided and “just playing ball.”
There’s no sense as to whether it will impact his decision, but Tuipulotu is not currently being mocked in the first round of the various 2023 NFL Draft boards going up on various websites. And recent Trojans such as safety Talanoa Hufanga and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are proving that later-round picks can quickly blossom into NFL standouts.
Tuipulotu’s 2022 Standout Season
Tuipulotu earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. He is No. 3 in the nation in sacks per game. And he is No. 6 nationally in tackles for loss per game.
His 12.5 sacks are the most in a single season for a Trojan since Kenechi Udeze’s 16.5 during the 2003 season.
Tuipulotu was also a finalist for virtually every national award for which he was eligible. That includes the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Hendricks Award.
USC’s Big-Time Returners
USC will welcome back Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams in 2023. The true sophomore has to return since he isn’t yet eligible for the NFL Draft. The Trojans got great news on Friday when linebacker Shane Lee announced he’ll be back with the Trojans next season.
There are a few more questions with offensive standouts moving forward. Offensive guard Justin Dedich and running back Austin Jones said Friday that they are still undecided as to whether they will return next season. Both could follow Tuipulotu in waiting until after the bowl game to announce.
If Dedich and Tuipulotu both elect to return, USC would welcome back all four captains from the 2022 squad. Those two joined Williams and Lee in earning the honor this year.
