(2023)Tuli Tuipulotu-EDGE/DE-USC

Tuli Tuipulotu

EDGE/DE

6’4, 290

Junior

Strengths	Weaknesses
Positional Versatility Speed and Agility Big Power Element Great Mover in Space Creates Interior and Outside Pressure Coverage Ability(!)	Lack of Bend Finishing/Tackling Concerns

2022 Statistics (Per PFF)

*(Ranking is out of the 241 EDGE/LB with 200+ pass rush snaps this season)

2022 Statistic	Total	Ranking *	Rank Percentile
Pressures	54	T-7th	Top 3%
Sacks	13	T-2nd	Top 2%
Hurries	35	T-11th	Top 5%
Pass Rush Win Rate	18.6%	T-32nd	Top 13%
QB Hits	6	T-67th	Top 28%
Tackles	27	N/A	N/A
Missed Tackle %	27.7%	N/A	N/A

Write-Up:

Tuli Tuipulotu is a junior edge rusher/defensive end who played all 3 of his collegiate seasons at USC. After a middling 2021 season (29 pressures, 6 sacks), Tuipulotu exploded in 2022, becoming one of the top pass rushers in college football production-wise. His 13 sacks ranked only behind Will Anderson Jr. this season, and he finished in the top 10 in total pressures. As a Trojan, Tuipulotu lined up mainly as a defensive end, as a 5-technique or 4i, but he lined up in a variety of other roles as well. This includes limited reps as an OLB, and some interior positioning (3-tech, even some Nose).

In terms of the positive aspects of Tuipulotu’s game, his athleticism is one of the first things that jumps off the page. For a larger edge rusher, he has phenomenal speed and agility, and has the ability to win to the outside of a blocker. This pairs with his power ability, making him a dangerous and versatile threat who can approach in a lot of different ways. He does not have the deepest bag of pass rushing moves, but his raw athletic ability allows for him to potentially increase this as he develops over time. Tuipulotu’s agility allows him to be a surprisingly good mover in space as well, making him a dangerous threat in run defense as well. He can chase down runners and this ability also allows him to even drop into coverage at times, where he was shockingly effective. Certainly, you’d rather have a more experienced cover player out there, but the sheer fact that he could do it if asked to is extremely impressive.

The biggest area of concern with Tuipulotu, however, is his distinct lack of bend to his rushing attack. This lack of flexibility is one of the major areas that the NFL’s top rushers excel at using, so his inability to tap into that does put a potential ceiling on his usage at the next level. It is not a “be all, end all” trait to have, but it will limit his potential somewhat against top NFL blockers. In terms of other concerns, he does have a lot of cleaning up to do when it comes to his tackling ability. Oftentimes, he could overcommit and overextend himself when trying to finish the play, leaving cutback lanes and escape angles for ball carriers.

Overall, Tuli Tuipulotu has most of the tools and athletic ability to become a very good defender at the NFL level. There are plenty of questions about his bend and tackling ability though, and he will have to weather those if he is to become a premier pass rusher.

Draft Projection: Late Round 2-3