The Chargers selected USC edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round (No. 54 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday.
A unanimous All-American in 2022, Tuipulotu was also the 2022 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein offered the following breakdown of Tuipulotu:
Defender possessing the rare blend of size, strength and athleticism to line up as an interior or edge defender in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. Tuipulotu plays with a go-go motor from the first snap to the last. His heavy-handed attack and ability to shed help compensate for a lack of length at the point of attack, while quick feet help him disrupt in gaps. He can play with a hand down or standing but needs to play with better discipline to eliminate voided fits. Tuipulotu is a power-based rusher with decent bend and flatten talent but he's unlikely to win with his get-off alone. He should become a good starter.
Take a look through some photos of the Chargers 2023 second-round Draft pick, Edge Tuli Tuipulotu from USC.
USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) walks on the field ahead of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Tulane, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) warms up prior to the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Tulane, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) chases Fresno States' quarterback Jake Haener (9) out of the pocket in the first half during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept 17, 2022 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu celebrates a stop of California on fourth down during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Arizona quarterback Will Plummer (15) is sacked by Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Washington State offensive lineman Liam Ryan (63) blocks Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. Southern California won 45-14. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Southern California safety Greg Johnson (1) celebrates with defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (49) after intercepting a pass and running it in for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against the San Jose State Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The selection of Tuipulotu gives the Chargers added depth on the edge behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
The 20-year-old Tuipulotu is listed at 6-foot-3 and 266 pounds. In 14 games for the Trojans last season, he totaled 46 tackles (31 solo), 22 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and three passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Tuipulotu led the nation with his sack total and finished second in total tackles for loss in 2022.
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