2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents Today, I’ll be profiling USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu.

#49 Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC (Junior) – 6040, 290lb

Measurements

— Has good size and length, carries weight well on his frame
— Possesses notable athleticism for a DL regarding his burst, speed, and acceleration
— Easy mover in space for his size, having dropped into coverage for USC
— Has played inside over the guard, but primarily rushed outside the tackle this past season
— Comfortable playing on his feet as well as with his hand in the dirt
— Has good play strength to shock back blockers with his punch
— Wins off the edge converting speed to power against OTs
— Can hold his own at the point of attack against the run
— Pursues the football well on backside runs as well as in the open field
— Motor helps him finish plays when initial rush fails
— Can maneuver his way around blocks to make tackles near the LOS
— Well-utilized on twists and stunts to get into open gaps
— Can get the corner against OTs, winning with a combination of speed and force

— A bit of a tweener when it comes to his body type, play style, and ideal fit at the next level
— Doesn’t possess great arm length to keep OTs from latching onto his frame
— Has a tough time fighting off blocks or executing a counter as a pass rusher
— Needs to do better at keeping outside contain and shedding blocks against the run
— Will willingly give ground as a run defender rather than standing his ground and working off the block
— Doesn’t have much of a pass rush plan when it comes to a go-to move or counter
— Hand usage needs to improve as an inside or outside rusher
— Doesn’t win with pure power against top-end competition
— Not fast enough of an athlete to turn the corner around the edge
— Wins inside with quickness off the snap rather than with strength and power
— Lacks play strength to consistently win on the inside
— Is more of a linear athlete when it comes to rushing the QB or trying to change directions
— Plenty of his sacks were in the “clean-up” variety rather than great execution

— Junior Prospect from Hawthorne, CA
— Born September 3, 2002 (age 20)
— His brother, Marlon, was a defensive lineman at USC (2017-20), earning All-Pac-12 first team in 2020, and now is with the Philadelphia Eagles
— His cousins are former USC safety Talanoa Hufanga now with the San Francisco 49ers, and former USC DT Fili Moala, who played with the Indianapolis Colts
— Starred at Lawndale HS at DE, earning first team as a three-star recruit
— Committed to USC and appeared in six games with three starts as a freshman, notching 22 total tackles, 2.