Tuli Tuipulotu impressing another group of coaches

Through three spring ball practices, it’s clear that the USC defensive staff sees plenty of areas to fix with the Trojans’ defense. But that’s not exactly breaking news to any USC fan who watched that unit allow at least 24 points in nine of 12 games last season. And the Trojans head into this spring having lost two of its three leaders in tackles and sacks from last season.

But there are some pieces in place upon which defensive coordinator Alex Grinch can build. Inside linebacker Shane Lee has drawn plenty of praise from the staff since his arrival from Alabama. Defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu is another player who brought some positive thoughts from USC defensive coaches during the first week of spring ball.

Grinch admitted there’s something of a simultaneous evaluation going on with the USC players. The new staff wants to give them a fresh start to make a first impression this spring. But at the same time, they’ve seen the film from last year and have an idea about what each player is bringing to this roster. Tuipulotu is clearly a guy the staff was excited to get on the field this spring.

“I highlighted a guy like Tuli, for instance, a guy that kind of matches the film,” Grinch said. “As I talk out of both sides of my mouth, talking about a fresh start for everybody. But you recognize some of those individuals that have played. It’s nice to see a guy from a weight room standpoint, winter workout standpoint, then through the first couple of days flashing in some ways.”

Tuipulotu has a habit of making positive first impressions on coaches. Former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando often spoke highly of Tuipulotu. Former defensive line coach Vic So’oto saw Tuipulotu as a rising star after his freshman season.

Not the first time for Tuli

“Everywhere he goes, he goes as hard as he can go,” So’oto said at the end of 2020. “And I told him that was one of the gifts that he has as a player, that he just goes he goes. He takes coaching really well. He takes hard coaching…So my job is just to point him in the right direction, and keep that fire burning.”

Now, that job belongs to defensive line coach Shaun Nua, who might be preparing Tuipulotu for his final college season.

Tuipulotu finished the 2021 season with a team-high 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He also had 48 tackles, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. The 48 tackles tied for fourth on the team and led the USC defensive line by a wide margin.

“He’s a great player, but I want him to be elite,” Nua said of Tuipulotu. “Consistency, make every single play every single down. But he wants that, too. That’s the beauty about Tuli. Very smart, very tough, very versatile. He’s what you want.”

Nua said Tuipulotu’s ability means he can play anywhere from cornerback to nose tackle. That might be just a bit of an exaggeration. But the 6-foot-4, 290-pound defender does seem to be a perfect fit in this Grinch defense that allows linemen to attack a single gap and get into the backfield as quickly as possible. Without the need for a prototypical, 300-plus pound nose tackle clogging the middle, it would seem that Tuipulotu could line up at any spot along the line. That’s something Nua confirmed this week.

“We’ll be everywhere,” Nua said. “He can play everything.”

Nua has seen his share of recent success along the line of scrimmage. He comes to USC after helping the Michigan defensive line to a dominant 2021 season. And there’s one clear area he wants to bring from the Wolverines to the Trojans up front.

“The mentality,” Nua said. “They. were competitive, they were aggressive, intelligent. The mentality.”