USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu still 'undecided' on NFL future

The Pac-12 defensive player of the year is still mulling over his options. USC star Tuli Tuipulotu is eligible to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, but he is still undecided on what he will do next.

Tuipulotu currently leads the nation with 12.5 sacks. He also heads into the bowl season No. 2 in FBS in tackles for loss with 21.

“In terms of coming back or going, I’m not too sure,” Tuipulotu said at the Rotary Lombardi Awards. “I’m still undecided. We just played, we were just in Charlotte a couple of days ago and just came here, so haven’t had time to actually think, sit down, talk to my family, talk to my coaches.”

Tuipulotu’s 12.5 sacks are the most in a single season at USC since Kenechi Udeze set the Trojans’ record with 16.5 in 2003. Tuipulotu has recorded 44 tackles, 29 of them solo. He also tallied three pass breakups at the line and forced two fumbles.

This year was a breakout season for the California native but he was a standout in 2021 as well. Last year, he had 48 tackles with 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Tuipulotu’s older brother Marlon left USC after four years and went in the sixth round of the draft two years ago.

Lincoln Riley praises Tuipulotu’s subtle leadership

USC head coach spoke at length about Tuipulotu’s leadership style this season.

“The leader deal is interesting, because you can’t make somebody something that they’re not, and what Tuli is…he’s never going to be an overly vocal leader,” Riley said. “Like, I think that’s just his personality. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a great leader. In fact, a lot of great leaders, say very little. And when they do talk, it’s impactful. And I think he’s absolutely grown and embraces that role.

“There’s times when you got to get out front, and he’s done it. He’s talked to the team on a number of occasions, you know. Which I don’t know if he would have done before. So I think he’s gotten up the confidence to do that, and I think he understands it. That it can be impactful for this team. He’s not a rah-rah guy. He’s not a guy you’re going to hear every day. But he’s had some really strong, impactful moments with this team. I’ve seen him more vocal around his teammates, whether it’s encouraging them or challenging them or anything in between.”