Tag: Tuli

Chargers DC Jesse Minter heaps high praise on Tuli Tuipulotu: ‘Didn’t look like a rookie’

Tuli Tuipulotu is coming off an outstanding rookie season.

Among the players returning that will be vital in Jesse Minter’s defense is edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu, who had an outstanding rookie season.

Minter is familiar with Tuipulotu’s skillset, having watched college film of him while he was at USC, and highlighted his versatility in an interview with team writer Eric Smith.

“I think his last year, we might have had one team that we were watching where there was some crossover film of USC,” Minter said. “The cool thing about him is he’s a guy in college that they moved all over the place — off the ball, up on the edge, they even had him played out in space a little bit.”

Tuipulotu, the former second-round pick, was a monster off the edge, finishing with the second-most quarterback pressures among rookies (51) and an 88.4 run defense grade that only trailed greats Maxx Crosby, DeMarcus Lawrence and Khalil Mack.

“You look at how he played his rookie year and I thought he stepped in and played really well for a rookie,” Minter added. “Didn’t look like a rookie, didn’t feel like a rookie when you were watching him. He plays with the toughness and the physicality that we certainly want our guys to play with.”

Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack’s future with the Chargers is up in the air, as they could be moved to clear up cap space. But one thing that is certain is that Tuipulotu will be on the roster next season and he will be a key piece of Minter’s defense.

Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu named to PFF’s 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team

The Chargers struck gold with the selection of Tuli Tuipulotu.

The Chargers struck gold with their selection of Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Tuipulotu was recognized for his hard work and efforts in his first NFL season, as he was named to Pro Football Focus’ 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team.

Tuipulotu was an outstanding run defender for Los Angeles. His 88.4 PFF run-defense grade not only led all rookies but trailed only Maxx Crosby, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Khalil Mack among qualified edge defenders.

He also finished second behind Anderson with 51 pressures. Tuipulotu was an excellent addition to a team that is perpetually trying to fix their defense.

It didn’t take long for Tuipulotu to make a name for himself upon entering the league, as he flashed behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

Tuipulotu’s snaps quickly crept up as the weeks went on, and he eventually became a full-time starter when Bosa suffered a season-ending foot injury.

Tuipulotu was a mainstay in opposing team’s backfields on a weekly basis, whether it was generating pressure on the quarterback or stopping the run.

Amid the maddening problems the defense dealt with throughout the season, Tuipulotu remained a bright spot. And at only 21 years of age, his best playing days are still ahead of him.

PFF: Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu deemed highest-graded rookie from Week 6

Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu continues to be a dominant force.

Pro Football Focus released their list of the ten highest-graded rookies from Week 6. Chargers edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu sat atop the list with a 90.0 overall grade from his performance against the Cowboys.

Tuipulotu continued to make noise, finishing with five quarterback pressures, which led the team on Monday. That brings his pressure total to 19, which is second among Chargers defenders and fourth among rookie defenders.

Tuipulotu almost had a sack on quarterback Dak Prescott, but he couldn’t completely grasp him and bring him down.

Tuipulotu has been given a full workload while Joey Bosa works his way back from his toe injury and has fully taken advantage of his time on the field.

When he’s not generating pressure on the quarterback, Tuipulotu has been involved in the run game, using his relentless motor to pursue ball carriers.

Tuipulotu ranks second in run stops with 10 and third in run stop percentage (11.6).

Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu making early impression: ‘A real bright spot for our defense’

Tuli Tuipulotu has been the Chargers’ best rookie early on.

The Chargers’ pass rush brought the heat on Sunday.

They pressured Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill 14 times and sacked him a whopping five times.

It was a collaborative effort, but rookie Tuli Tuipulotu made his presence felt. The team’s second-round pick finished with three pressures and a sack.

“He has made a lot of progress,” Brandon Staley said. “He has made a lot of plays through two games and has been a real bright spot for our defense. He continues to improve. He’s been a playmaker for us for two games.”

Tuipulotu saw an uptick in playing time as Joey Bosa was on a limited snap count e was playing through a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice all of last week.

Tuipulotu was often used in pressure packages with Bosa and Khalil Mack lined up, which created mismatches and stressed blockers with their speed and power.

Tuipulotu’s most notable rep in the subpackages came on Bosa’s first sack. Tuipulotu occupied and split the left tackle and left guard to allow Bosa to loop around freely.

But Tuipulotu had one-on-one opportunities, including on his lone sack. He was lined up off the edge and went speed to power against the left tackle, which he bullied into the backfield and then disengaged to get to Tannehill.

Tuipulotu was also credited with four run stops on the day.

The Chargers need to work on defending the deep passes, but it helps when the pass rush is a well-oiled machine to minimize the amount of time for quarterbacks to get rid of the ball. Tuipulotu should continue to be a vital part of it.

Remember that Tuipulotu just recently turned 21 years old, so the best is yet to come.

2023 NFL draft: Chargers pick USC EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu with No. 54 overall selection

The Chargers added to their edge defender room with their second-round pick.

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The Chargers have taken former USC edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu with the No. 54 overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Chargers needed more players capable of disrupting opposing quarterbacks behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and Tuipolutu fits that billing, having logged 42 quarterback pressures and 13.5 sacks last season.

Tuipolutu was the 2022 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He also had 22 tackles for loss, which was second in the nation.