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USC defensive end Solomon Tuliaupupu enters NCAA transfer portal

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney02/13/25ErikTMcKinney
USC Trojans defensive end Solomon Tuliaupupu (58) during a college football game between the Rice Owls and the USC Trojans on September 03, 2022, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Ima
USC Trojans defensive end Solomon Tuliaupupu (58) during a college football game between the Rice Owls and the USC Trojans (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The long journey of Solomon Tuliaupupu at USC appears to be over as the defensive end entered the transfer portal on Thursday, according to Pete Nakos of On3. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound defender looked to be using his final year of eligibility in 2024, but with so many years missed due to injury, would appear to have another medical year to use elsewhere.

Tuliaupupu arrived at USC as a four-star linebacker in the 2018 class but missed that season following preseason foot surgery. That was just the start of the injury issues that plagued Tuliaupupu at USC. He missed the 2019 season after needing additional surgery that year. Tuliaupupu then suffered a knee injury during 2020 summer workouts that cost him that whole season. He also did not play in 2021.

The 2022 season was the first year he was available and he recorded 10 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, while playing in all 13 games. Tuliaupupu then missed the entire 2023 season after suffering another knee injury. He got back on the field for most of the 2024 season, appearing in nine games and recording 13 tackles, including a sack, and a fumble recovery. But he sat out the season’s final games due to another injury.

He participated in the Senior Day walk ahead of USC’s final home game against Notre Dame and the expectation was that he would not be back with the Trojans next season.

If he is able to gain another year of eligibility and use it at another school, it would be his eighth college season.

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Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

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