Chargers stay local, select USC’s Tuipulotu in 2nd round
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Tuli Tuipulotu has spent most of his life in Los Angeles, but he was preparing for the possibility of leaving home to continue his football career.
As it turned out, the Southern California defensive end found out Friday night that he will remain in Los Angeles. The Chargers selected him in the second round of the NFL draft.
“I was kind of preparing myself to, like, go somewhere far, like the East Coast or something, but I’m happy to stay home,” said Tuipulotu, who was the 54th overall pick.
Tuipulotu grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne, which is a 20-minute drive from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where the Chargers play their home games. Even though he hasn’t played at the stadium, he went to a game last season when the Chargers faced the Seattle Seahawks.
Tuipulotu was a first-team All-America selection last season after leading the nation in sacks (13 1/2). He was also the Pac-12’s Defensive Player of the Year and was second nationally with 22 tackles for loss.
The Chargers also took a player with local ties in the third round: Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles before starting his collegiate career at Nevada. Henley transferred to Washington State last season and led the Cougars with 106 tackles, earning a first-team selection to the All-Pac-12 team.
The 6-foot-3, 266-pound Tuipulotu excels as an edge rusher and will help provide depth alongside Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Bosa has struggled with injuries throughout his career and missed most of last season with a groin injury.
Despite having a strong trio with Mack, Bosa and safety Derwin James, the Chargers were ranked 20th in total defense, 21st in points allowed per game and the fifth worst against the run last season.
“To be coming into the league I wanted to learn from the best, and to be learning from Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, that’s crazy,” Tuipulotu said.
Tuipulotu said he talked to the Chargers during the scouting combine and took part in the team’s local pro day. It is the first time the Bolts have selected a USC player since 2018, when they took linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
Los Angeles drafted TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston in the first round.
The Chargers have four selections on Saturday, one in each round.
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