The USC Trojans saw another player hear his name called during the 2023 NFL draft. This time, it was defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu, the three-year player who decided to enter the draft after a stellar 2022 season. Tuipulotu was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers at pick No. 54 in the second round on Friday evening.
With Drake Jackson leaving a year ago, Tuipulotu became the main force on the defensive line. He played 14 games and had 31 solo tackles with 13.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
He was projected to be a second-round pick, and he was. He finished seven spots higher than Drake Jackson (No. 61) went in the 2022 draft.
Tuipulotu now joins a team that includes a loaded offense but has lingering questions on defense as it tries to shake off the brutal implosion suffered this past January against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC playoffs. Tuipulotu will try to be a difference-maker for a team which has had a hard time getting over the hump in the AFC.
With the No. 54 overall pick in the 2023 @NFLDraft, the @chargers select Tuli Tuipulotu!
📺: 2023 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/D3EqkrKdIw pic.twitter.com/53JeZBH9dh— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2023
Tuli Tuipulotu from USC is another DE the Bears/Jaguars could target in the 2nd. I put him RIGHT behind Foskey.
He had 13.5 sacks and 22 TFL last season. Here’s a vid of all of them. #Bears #Jaguars #NFLDraft2023
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) April 19, 2023
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