Games Watched: Oregon (2021), Utah (2020), Oregon State (2020)
Best Game: Utah (2020)
Worst Game: N/A
First Step: Wins consistently with first step explosiveness, Tupuola-Fetui has some wicked burst off of the line of scrimmage that allows him to beat offensive linemen to the spot in run defense. He can get great upfield traction when working as a pass rusher, with the fluidity to channel that speed into power through the arc. Seldom does Tupuola-Fetui false step at the line of scrimmage and his snap anticipation is excellent.
Bend: Tupuola-Fetui has great hip fluidity which allows him to corner opponents while maintaining a consistent pad level. He keeps tight to the line of scrimmage as a six-technique and can show good ankle/hip flexion to lean into his opponents. Tupuola-Fetui maximized his flexibility to lean into opposition and deploy his rush counters.
Hand Usage: When playing the run, Tupuola-Fetui gets great hand placement against opponents. He can fire out with his hands due to his hip flexibility and get a great initial punch against would-be blockers. Tupuola-Fetui plays with just enough hand strength to manipulate offensive linemen in the stack and shed on run fits.
Pass Rush Plan: Tupuola-Fetui has an excellent array of pass rush moves to leverage pressure on the quarterback. He wins largely with the speed to power but can deploy the rip move through contact to put offensive linemen off balance. He flashes instances of fork-lifting the arms of his opponents and wins with great effect when using that move. Additionally, his high-level athletic traits allow him to be used correctly in the stunt/twist game and use finesse to win at the point of attack.
Motor/Effort: Tupuola-Fetui has an elite motor that seems to have gotten better from 2020 to 2021. He never takes plays off and proves he can fight through contact even when he loses the initial rep. Tupuola-Fetui has incredible physicality and does a great job leveraging plays on the ball carrier.
Lateral Mobility: Despite battling injuries, Tupuola-Fetui still displays high-level change of direction skills. Tupuola-Fetui can play light on his feet when playing run defense and flowing down the line of scrimmage. He can quickly change direction skills when flowing from opposite gaps and can dart around offensive linemen without too much trouble.
Run Defense/Anchor: Tupuola-Fetui surprised me as a run defender. He shows great hand placement and leverage in his lower half despite not playing with elite strength. He plays the spill very well and can attack the shoulder of his opponents while maintaining good gap integrity. Moreover, he played with impressive vision, especially when making head-on plays with the offensive tackle.
Athletic Ability: Tupuola-Fetui is a special athlete at the position, showing incredible upfield burst on rushes and can quickly change directions with ease. He’s a consistent threat to win with speed around the edge and is often deployed on the stunt/twist where he can finesse offensive linemen.
Strength: Tupuola-Fetui has good strength packed into a dense frame and can hold his own at the point of attack. You have to feel confident about him taking on blockers and setting a physical edge in the run game. He’ll struggle versus double teams however he has enough general strength to play on early downs.
Versatility: Tupuola-Fetui has played with his hand in the dirt and as a stand-up edge rusher, so there’s some schematic versatility there to work with. He has all of the natural tools and strength to survive on all three downs. He can also be asked to drop into coverage when the need arises.