Lawndale DL Tulipulotu Talks Recruiting Favorites

USC DT Marlon Tuipulotu was one of the most sought-after prospects on the West Coast two years ago. After a lengthy commitment to Washington, he ultimately signed with the Trojans.

With Tuipulotu signing with USC came an anticipated move by the family to Los Angeles. The move was planned well before it even appeared Marlon would end up a Trojan.

Now his younger brother and Lawndale SDE Tuli Tuipulotu‍ is one of the top prospects in California. 

Tuipulotu (6-2, 255) isn’t ranked as high as his older brother Marlon, but Cal, USC, UCLA, ASU, Oregon, Stanford, Utah, Boise St., Kansas St., Nebraska, Vanderbilt, Portland St., Oregon St. and Wisconsin have offered. More will certainly come before the end of Summer.

A few prominent Pac-12 coaches were recently overheard saying Tuipulotu will be playing on Sundays. He’s extremely athletic and shows that when he’s catching passes at tight end, he’s a hard worker. He comes from a program where kids are taught fundamentals, technique and respect. He’s very smart and has the frame to add considerable weight. There’s a lot to like with Tuli Tuipulotu.

Cal offered last month and Tuipulotu says the Bears are definitely one of the schools he’s seriously considering. He is one who is looking for much more than a football experience from his time in college.

While most assume USC would be the team to beat, it’s really just one school Tuipulotu is seriously considering.

In fact, there are other schools Tuipulotu feels are recruiting him harder than the Trojans.

One of those schools is Cal, a school he recently visited after The Opening Regional in El Cerrito on May 11.

”I had a great visit at Cal,” said Tuipulotu. “I got to know the coaches better, I got to meet some of the players. Cal is one of the schools recruiting me the hardest, so I plan to get there for another visit. The way Cal talks to me makes me feel like they really need me. They tell me how they really want me and how I can help change their program.”

Another school showing Tuipulotu a lot of love is UCLA, but surprisingly, USC hasn’t communicated with him recently, despite visiting Lawndale a few times this Spring.

”I haven’t heard much from USC in recent weeks, but the love for USC will always be there,” Tuipulotu said. “They have been by here a few times and I do plan on visiting this Summer. I’ll be at their camp on June 9 for sure.”

Cal, UCLA, Stanford and USC are the schools Tuipulotu has visited, and he hopes to visit Oregon this summer.

Tuipulotu also said he’d like to decide on a school sometime during the football season. So, look for a few official visits to be set for summer and early fall.

2018 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

*Video interview by Scott Schrader

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