In a move that has stunned the college football world, the NCAA has made an almost unheard-of decision: granting Montana linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu a ninth year of eligibility. Originally a 2018 signee for USC, Tuliaupupu will return to the field for the 2026 season, cementing his status as one of the longest-tenured athletes in the history of college sports.
A Decade in College: Record-Breaking Resilience or Systemic Excess?
To put this news into perspective: when Tuliaupupu first stepped onto a college campus, most of his current teammates were still in elementary school. After signing as a highly touted four-star prospect, what should have been a four-to-five-year career has transformed into a nearly decade-long odyssey due to a medical history that reads like a nightmare.
The Injury Ordeal: Only Three Seasons in Eight Years
The argument for this exceptional extension lies in the staggering gaps in his playing record. Out of the eight years he has been part of collegiate programs, Tuliaupupu has missed five full seasons due to devastating injuries:
- 2018-2019: Sidelined for two years due to multiple foot surgeries.
- 2020-2021: A knee injury during summer workouts cost him another two full seasons.
- 2023: Yet another knee injury during training camp sent him back to the sidelines for the entire year.
It wasn’t until 2025, now with the Montana Grizzlies, that Solomon was finally able to participate in a full slate of games. He proved his talent remains intact, racking up 43 tackles and helping lead Montana to the FCS playoff semifinals.
A Key Asset for Montana’s New Era
The news comes as a massive boost for Montana’s new head coach, Bobby Kennedy, who faces the daunting task of replacing program legend Bobby Hauck. Tuliaupupu won’t just bring veteran leadership to the field; he will be, quite literally, a historical figure in the locker room—a man who has survived three different coaching cycles and a change of decade within the NCAA system.
While social media is already buzzing with jokes about whether Tuliaupupu should be collecting a pension instead of a scholarship, his persistence is a testament to his love for the game. The 2026 season will be his final chance to close a chapter that began nearly ten years ago.
