Montana LB Solomon Tuliaupupu Ready for 9th Season, Uncertain if It Will Be His Last

The 25-year-old married father of two has overcome a host of injuries to keep playing the sport he loves.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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After transferring to the University of Montana in 2025, linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu has been granted a rare 9th year of NCAA eligibility. The former USC player has endured multiple complex foot fractures, ACL tears, and other setbacks throughout his college career, but he's determined to make the most of one final season with the Grizzlies.

Why it matters

Tuliaupupu's perseverance in the face of significant injuries highlights the challenges some student-athletes face in pursuing their passion for the game. His story also underscores the NCAA's evolving policies around eligibility, which have provided opportunities for players like Tuliaupupu to extend their careers.

The details

Tuliaupupu suffered a Lisfranc fracture in his foot during his senior year of high school, causing him to miss his freshman season at USC in 2018. He then re-injured the same foot in 2019 and tore the ACL in his left knee in 2020. After transitioning to defensive end in 2022, he tore the ACL in his right knee that fall. Despite these setbacks, Tuliaupupu kept pushing to return to the field, eventually transferring to Montana in 2025 where he had a strong season. Now, with one last year of eligibility, the 25-year-old is ready for one final ride with the Grizzlies.

  • Tuliaupupu suffered a Lisfranc fracture in his foot during his senior year of high school, causing him to miss the 2018 season at USC.
  • He re-injured the same foot in 2019.
  • Tuliaupupu tore the ACL in his left knee in 2020.
  • He transitioned to defensive end in 2022 and saw action in all 14 games, registering his first career tackle.
  • Tuliaupupu tore the ACL in his right knee in fall camp in 2023.

The players

Solomon Tuliaupupu

A 25-year-old linebacker who has been granted a rare 9th year of NCAA eligibility after transferring from USC to the University of Montana in 2025.

Lincoln Riley

The head coach of the USC football team, whom Tuliaupupu told he was retiring after the 2024 season.

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What they’re saying

“I had the best time of my life.”

— Solomon Tuliaupupu (nytimes.com)

“I don't know if I got it in me anymore. I've been giving it my all, all these years.”

— Solomon Tuliaupupu (nytimes.com)

What’s next

Tuliaupupu will look to make the most of his 9th and final season of college football with the Montana Grizzlies in 2026.

The takeaway

Tuliaupupu's perseverance and determination to keep playing the sport he loves, despite a series of devastating injuries, is an inspiring story of resilience in the face of adversity. His journey underscores the NCAA's evolving policies around eligibility and the challenges some student-athletes face in pursuing their athletic passions.