Tuli Tuipulotu is a First-Round Pass Rusher in 2023 NFL Draft

One word best describes USC’s Tuli Tuipulotu [pronounced TOO-lee TOO-ee-poo-LOE-too] on game film: dynamic.

He was college football’s sack leader in 2022 (13.5).

Tuipulotu is an extremely skilled pass rushing force to be reckoned with. He combines a tool box full of high-end pass rush moves with speed, quickness and athleticism.

Just ask Washington State and Notre Dame (game film embedded below). He was in the backfield about as much as the running backs were on those teams.

Tuipulotu is a constant source of pocket disruption that NFL teams need to dial into, as we head into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Two straight seasons

I’ve studied Tuipulotu now for two-straight seasons on game film.

I liked him as much in my previous article, “Keep A Close Eye On Nation’s Sack Leader Tuli Tuipulotu” as I did on his 2022 game film.

He’s interesting because on 2021 game film, I liked him better inside at defensive tackle, but on 2022 game film he looked better at edge. Either way, it didn’t matter.

Tuipulotu was flat-out unblockable at times.

Inconsistencies against the run

We keep things balanced at First Round Mock and provide the full picture, not just hype.

Whatever is on the game film is what comes out on the keyboard.

Tuipulotu is one of the harder evaluations because when he played inside at tackle, one of the things I liked most about him was how he played the run, but at edge, he was far more inconsistent in this department in 2022.

This is one of the reasons I love looking at games over two seasons, and not just one.

At edge, he did show he could come off blocks and make tackles, but it just wasn’t at the same rate of intensity.

Pass rushing terror

In today’s pass-happy league, teams aren’t drafting in the first-round to stop the run. They’re selecting guys who can blow up the pocket.

That’s Tuipulotu.

He has what it takes to win the edge against right or left tackles, and he can stunt inside and raise hell.

The thing that impressed me the most about him is how polished he looked rushing the passer. As a result, he draws his share of double teams.

I have watched a ton of NFL game film writing hundreds of articles for Sports Illustrated Lions, 49ers, and Jets just in the last three years alone, and Tuipulotu’s pass rush moves are right up there with the best of them.

Let’s put some respect on his name

When Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., and Army’s Andre Carter II were on top of the sack boards in college football, it sent the mainstream narratives into a feeding frenzy, but I’m not too sure how many NFL fans even know Tuipulotu’s name?

I am baffled at the low amount of pre-draft respect he’s getting.

It’s time we add Tuipulotu’s name to the first-round discussion and put it on blast.

#49 Tuli Tuipulotu 6-foot-4, 290 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (top 20 and I would select him)

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Bust Probability: Low

Projected by 5.9% (up from 1.9% on November 9) by the NFL Draft Community as a first-round pick as of February 5, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Washington State, Notre Dame, and Stanford (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 48 tackles (24 solo, 24 assists) 5.5 sacks (29 pressures nfldraftbuzz.com), 2 forced fumbles, 2 passes defended

2022 stats: 41 tackles (31 solo, 15 assists) 13.5 sacks (51 pressures), 2 forced fumbles, 3 passes defended

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Accomplished, coiled, and opportunistic defender with long arms, quickness, and range. Smells weakness and exploits it. Lines up with his hand down in the dirt or standing up. Fast first step and uses hands well to get into blockers in passing situations. Authoritative bull rush. Speciality moves are the rip, swim, head fake, and shake-and-bake. Can get under tackles’ pad level and has the speed and bend to win the edge. Makes quick pocket adjustments, showed darting short-area burst, and delivers crushing blows. Occasionally drops into coverage (covered Notre Dame’s tight-end Michael Mayer on a rep). Can jet out to the sideline to support. Inconsistent versus run and questionable instincts, but will chase, ended up by the pile frequently, and has ability to shed and tackle.

Final words

Give me Tuli Tuipulotu over Alabama’s edge Will Anderson Jr.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.