First-round pick wide receiver Quentin Johnston has been generating all of the buzz among this year’s Chargers’ draft class. But second-round selection edge defender Tuli Tuipulotu is starting to raise some eyebrows.
Los Angeles held their padded intrasquad scrimmage on Sunday, which was 11-on-11 action—full live-game speed and scenarios. And Tuipulotu was among the standouts on the defensive side of the ball.
Tuipulotu had a pair of would-be sacks.
The first came against tackle Brenden Jaimes, as Tuipulotu quickly reacted to the snap and accelerated to get into the backfield.
The second occurred on a play-action play, where guard Zion Johnson was late to pull and Tuipulotu won again with athleticism to beat him and get into the lap of quarterback Justin Herbert.
“I think he’s got the quickness and the strong hands,” head coach Brandon Staley said of Tuipulotu. “Instinctive. He’s a sponge out there so he learns the game really fast. He’s going to have a role for us.”
Tuipulotu is only 20, but his teammates feel like he is way ahead of his years regarding his football intelligence, including Joey Bosa.
Despite his young age, Tuipulotu, last year’s leader in sacks, is expected to contribute as a rotational pass rusher in Year 1. The reps he gets over the next few weeks in the preseason will be valuable to get ready.
#Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu gets the sack. Quick & subtle off the snap, gets underneath the RT. Smooth⚡️#ChargersCamp pic.twitter.com/LqcaZTcsyf
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) August 7, 2023
Tuli with a sack, late OL rotation pic.twitter.com/mTLfHF1RIc
— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) August 7, 2023
