NFL Scouting Report: USC Edge Tuli Tuipulotu

Bleacher Report recently went through the top 225 NFL draft-eligible prospects. A few USC players ended up on this list. Aside from WR Jordan Addison, Tuli Tuipulotu was the next highest-ranked player.

Tuipulotu is a 6’3 266-pound junior who was named a captain for the USC Trojans this past season. He had himself quite the year by recording 46 tackles (22 TFL) and 13.5 sacks in 14 games. This was good enough to earn him multiple awards. Some of those included the Polynesian Football Players of the Year, the Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year, and the Morris Trophy.

He was also named a Unanimous All-American to go along with first-team All-Pac 12 honors. This was his second time being named to the conference all-team. He was able to do that in back-to-back seasons. This can be contributed to the nation-leading 13.5 sacks.

The former 3-star athlete finished with 30 career starts and accounted for 116 total tackles and 21 sacks as a Trojan. Bleacher Report’s NFL Draft Scout Matt Holder had the following to say,

"“Tuli Tuipulotu has an impressive blend of strength and athletic ability that will certainly appeal to NFL scouts and general managers. He has enough pop in his hands to get extension as a run defender combined with the quickness and change of direction skills to win as a pass-rusher.”"

- Matt Holder from Bleacher Report

However, there are some concerns regarding his size and weight.

"“In the NFL, Tuipulotu is probably a little heavy to be a standup linebacker and too light to play as a three-technique, so his best spot will likely be as a hand-in-the-ground defensive end in either odd or even fronts. Though, he has plenty of room on his frame to fill out if a team wants him to play inside more.”"

- Matt Holder from Bleacher Report

He is being projected to be picked in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. It’s possible he could go as high as the 52nd pick. His pro comparison is to that of Cameron Jordan.

Fight On!