Solomon Tuliaupupu, a linebacker for Montana, has been awarded a ninth year of eligibility by the NCAA, allowing him to return for the 2026 season. This announcement was made by the university on social media, coinciding with the news of sixth-year offensive lineman Dylan Jemtegaard”s return.
Tuliaupupu is set to enter his second season with Montana after transferring from USC, where he began his collegiate career in 2018. Unfortunately, his time at USC was marred by injuries, leading to surgeries on both his foot and knee, which sidelined him for significant periods during his undergraduate years.
His initial season with Montana marked just the second complete season of his career, as he had previously seen limited game action. During his redshirt senior year at USC in 2022, he participated in all 14 games, recording 10 tackles, three of which were for a loss, along with one quarterback hurry.
However, Tuliaupupu faced further challenges in 2023, where he was unable to play due to another injury that kept him off the field entirely. He completed his time at USC in 2024, taking part in seven games before his season was prematurely ended due to illness. In 2025, he made the decision to transfer to Montana, where he will now play under the guidance of new head coach Bobby Kennedy.
Kennedy is stepping in as head coach following the departure of Bobby Hauck, who recently accepted a position as the defensive coordinator at Illinois after a brief retirement.
