A Rare Extension
Solomon Tuliaupupu, a linebacker who entered the University of Southern California as a top 2018 recruit, is now preparing for what could be his ninth year of college football, a rarity in a sport where most players complete their eligibility within four seasons.
His early college trajectory was derailed by a series of catastrophic injuries — Lisfranc tears and multiple ACL ruptures — that forced him to miss four of his first five seasons, turning a promising start into a prolonged rehabilitation saga.
After being released by USC in 2021 when new head coach Lincoln Riley assessed his medical history, Tuliaupupu transferred to the University of Montana, where he gradually reclaimed his form and earned second‑team All‑Big Sky honors in his debut season with the Grizzlies.
In February 2026, the NCAA granted him a ninth season of eligibility, a decision that sparked both admiration and criticism, as the university weighed his resilience against the unconventional nature of the extension.
Coaches and teammates describe him as a steadying presence in the locker room, noting that his willingness to share his story has encouraged younger players to confront adversity rather than retreat from it.
As he looks toward the upcoming campaign, Tuliaupupu says his primary goal is to serve as a living example that setbacks need not define a career, a message that resonates far beyond the football field.