Breaking down Solomon Tuliaupupu's commitment to USC

Four-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu received numerous offers early in his high school career but he still took his time through the recruiting process, went on numerous visits and did not make his decision until National Signing Day. In the end, the Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei linebacker picked USC, a position of need for the Trojans. Below, Rivals.com takes a look at how Tuliaupupu’s decision will help the Trojans and hurt the other programs that missed out on him.

CLASS OF '18 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | State | Position | JUCO

USC was always a favorite for Tuliaupupu. The four-star linebacker visited other schools and seriously considered other programs, but he continued to be drawn back to the Trojans - and back to the need for linebackers at the Pac-12 powerhouse.

There was certainly no shortage in USC’s recruiting class. On the eve of National Signing Day, USC flipped four-star linebacker Eli’Jah Winston from Oregon and numerous other linebackers had already been committed in the Trojans’ class.

Notre Dame, UCLA, Ohio State and others were seriously considered by the hard-hitting linebacker.

The Trojans loaded up with fast, physical linebackers, but Tuliaupupu brings a special quality because he’s so tough and hard-nosed he should fit in perfectly with this group. Having Tuliaupupu and five-star linebacker Palaie Gaoteote on the field at the same time could be devastating for offenses. Those two especially are excellent, rangy and love to hit.

With Gaoteote, Tuliaupupu, Winston and then four-stars Kana’i Mauga and Raymond Scott on board, USC’s linebacker corps should be rock solid for years to come. That doesn’t even factor in four-star Talanoa Hufanga, who could play safety or move down to linebacker. The Trojans are loaded for years to come at the position.

Notre Dame is just fine at linebacker with three four-stars among the group, and the Irish even dipped into California to land Jack Lamb out of Temecula Great Oak. Still, getting Tuliaupupu could have been a game-changer. Ohio State secured the nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker in Teradja Mitchell.

UCLA could have absolutely utilized Tuliaupupu’s abilities - and early - in coach Chip Kelly’s revamped recruiting class. The Bruins could have made a statement, dipped into Mater Dei’s vast recruiting pool (many of those players end up at USC, anyway) and landed a commitment from one of the top linebackers nationally. UCLA flipped four-star LB Bo Calvert from the Trojans, so that was a positive step but Tuliaupupu would have been huge, too.