USC '18 CA LB - Solomon Tuliaupupu (USC Verbal)

After his OV to Notre Dame, Ohio State 4-star LB target Solomon Tuliaupupu updates his recruitment with @bangulo. https://t.co/Tklr3UIN48

— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) October 26, 2017

 

BEST LINEBACKER IN THE COUNTRY

Santa Ana, California, Mater Dei four-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu has been named the winner of the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's best high school linebacker.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Tuliaupupu beat out Ohio State four-star commit Teradja Mitchell and USC five-star pledge Palaie Gaoteote to win the award. Linebacker commits Dallas Gant and K'Vaughan Pope, meanwhile, were among the 16 semifinalists named in late October.

Tuliaupupu recorded 63 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the undefeated Monarchs this season. They'll look to finish the season with a win in Saturday's California Interscholastic Federation State Championship against St. John Bosco and Ohio State four-star safety commit Jaiden Woodbey.

 

LAST CHANCE TO IMPRESS

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said during his Cotton Bowl press conference the Buckeyes only had two or so spots remaining in the current recruiting cycle.

Whether or not he factored in Cleveland Heights four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith — who signed his letter of intent during the Early Signing Period but kept his intentions quiet until Thursday’s Under Armour All-America Game — is unclear, but there’s no doubt numbers are tight as the staff looks to address needs at both offensive tackle and defensive end before the traditional Feb. 7 National Signing Day.

With that said, several prospects who don’t fit that bill are still interested in taking an official visit to Ohio State. And some, like California four-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu, are simply too talented to pass up.

If he wanted to commit, the Buckeyes would make room.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Tuliaupupu is eyeing an official visit on the weekend of Feb. 4, which would give the staff the last shot to sway his decision.

“I want my dad to see everything,” Tuliaupupu told Eleven Warriors, explaining how it was his coach who accompanied him on his first and only visit for the annual Spring Game in April. “I want him to keep me level-headed about everything. Make sure I really take it in and make sure I make the right decision.”

Tuliaupupu played his senior season at powerhouse Santa Ana Mater Dei, where he recorded 63 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, four sacks, four quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. The Monarchs went on to win the state championship, but Tuliaupupu missed the final two games after he suffered a Lisfranc injury. He’ll be sidelined four to six months as the bones in his foot heal.

“It was a good experience being there with my brothers,” Tuliaupupu said of the state championship run. “I was still doing my thing, being a loud mouth. Just getting them hyped up. It was tough not being on the field, but at the same time, I'm happy for my brothers.”

Reflecting on his visit last year, Tuliaupupu said he was impressed with Ohio State’s atmosphere, coaching, fans and the Real Life Wednesdays internship program. He’s not at all dismayed by the fact that the Buckeyes have three extremely talented linebackers already committed in four-stars Dallas Gant, Teradja Mitchell and K'Vaughan Pope.

“It doesn't matter to me at all. Competition is everywhere,” Tuliaupupu said. “Some say competition is better for you. I think it just depends on who you are. I great realtionships with those guys.”

After the visit, Tuliaupupu will sit down with his family and figure out where he wants to go to school. He’ll choose among Notre Dame, Ohio State, UCLA and USC.

“I'm still trying to figure some things out. This process is crazy. It's a blessing,” Tuliaupupu said. “I just want to prepare myself for life and develop as a man. I want to be able to say I used the four years to the best of my ability outside of football and be developed completely.”

 

USC is the heavy favorite here...........

 

I would have to agree. Just think location is a factor here.........

 

ALWAYS A LONG SHOT
Santa Ana, California, Mater Dei five-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu told Eleven Warriors during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl last month he hoped to take an official visit to Ohio State before making his college decision.

The final weekend for that to happen has now passed, so then it should come as no surprise the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder narrowed down his list of scholarship offers to Notre Dame, UCLA and USC on Sunday night.

Tune In Wednesday ESPN 2/ESPN U 9:30am PT!!!!! Find out where da boy is headed #GoIrish #4sUp #FightOn pic.twitter.com/k3ANre8cnj

— Solomon Tuliaupupu (@nokeakua) February 4, 2018



The Buckeyes made quite the impression of Tuliaupupu during his first and only trip to Columbus for the Spring Game, but were unlikely to land his commitment without a return trip with his parents.

“I want my dad to see everything,” Tuliaupupu said, explaining how it was his coach who accompanied to campus in April. “I want him to keep me level-headed about everything. Make sure I really take it in and make sure I make the right decision.”

Ohio State signed three linebackers last month in four-stars Dallas Gant, Teradja Mitchell and K’Vaughan Pope, but Tuliaupupu is one of the nation’s premier talents and the Buckeyes would have found room in the class if he wanted to be in Columbus.

But alas, USC has long been considered the favorite in his recruitment thanks to proximity and the program’s long history with players of Polynesian ancestry. I’d be surprised if the Trojans weren’t his pick on Wednesday.