Football Bio –
Tuipulotu starred at USC, culminating in a 2022 season in which he earned unanimous All-America honors and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the nation in sacks. The Chargers selected him in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. He quickly became a high-volume edge defender and broke out with 13 sacks in 2025. 2026 context: After a 13-sack Pro Bowl season, Tuipulotu enters 2026 as a centerpiece rather than a projection.
HEIGHT
6' 3"
WEIGHT
266
EXPERIENCE
4 yrs
COLLEGE
Southern California
2026 Outlook
Tuipulotu enters 2026 as a starting edge rusher coming off a 13-sack breakout season. With a new contract potentially on the horizon, he has a chance to establish himself as one of the league's premier young pass rushers.
Career Highlights
His older brother, Marlon Tuipulotu, also played defensive tackle at USC and currently plays in the NFL for the Lions. He led the Chargers' defense and ranked sixth in the entire NFL by registering 13.0 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, and 23 quarterback hits to earn a trip to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. Tuipulotu was a unanimous All-American and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year at USC before being drafted in Round 2 in 2023. He earned PFWA All-Rookie honors, then broke out for 13 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits in 2025 to earn a 2026 Pro Bowl selection.
Personal Life
Tuipulotu was born in Southern California to Niuila and Tania Tuipulotu, whose family roots trace to Tonga and New Zealand. He is the youngest of four brothers and was also helped raised by his aunt and uncle, Lupe and Ken Fosnight; his older brother Marlon played defensive tackle at USC and reached the NFL. Tuli has spoken proudly about his Tongan heritage, and family remains central to his identity both on and off the field.