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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

2018 LB Solomon Tuliaupupu Taking Business Trip To Notre Dame

October 18, 2017
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2018 Mater Dei (Calif.) linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu‍ will take an official visit this weekend to see Notre Dame take on USC on Saturday night. The four-star prospect has held an offer for almost two years, and the visit has been a long-time coming according to this father, Turnball Tuliaupupu. 

“Notre Dame has been a place we have wanted to take a close look at,” stated Tuliaupupu. “This trip is to get a feel for Notre Dame. They have a rich tradition, and we’re going to sit down and go through the academics. He wants to major in Business. Notre Dame has extensive networking, so we’re looking to see exactly what that entails. 

“It’s a business trip as opposed to a luxury trip.” 

 Tuliaupupu will be joined by his teammates Amon-Ra St. Brown and Chris Murray, who are both high priority targets for the Irish. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder transferred into Mater Dei for his senior year, and it has allowed him to focus on his academics and developing as a linebacker. 

“I think he enjoys it,” said Tuliaupupu. “He can focus more on his position as opposed to worrying about playing running back, tight end and whatever else he played at Claremont. The main reason to attend Mater Dei was for academics. They are on a block schedule and challenge him with a college-specific curriculum. 

“The dynamics of the football program prepares you for the Division-I grind too. He’s been focused and enjoying it.” 

When news broke Tuliaupupu was taking an official visit to Notre Dame, it was a bit of surprise as USC is the current favorite to land the California native. Tuliaupupu visited Hawaii recently as he is simply doing his research to find the best academic and athletic fit for him. 

“The Hawaii trip people said it didn’t make sense, but if you think about the quality of living after football, they rank in the Top 15 in International Business,” explained the elder Tuliaupupu. “He’s looking at the big picture. 

“We definitely want to see what Notre Dame can offer with a degree and more than just football. Football is this long, and your life is this long, so it’s important for him to think ahead.” 

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USC would also be a closer option for Tuliaupupu, but that’s not a factor in his decision. Tuliaupupu is very academic focused, and the Irish will likely leave a lasting impression as expectations are already high for the educational portion of the trip.

“People always ask about the environment and geography,” Tuliaupupu stated. “That’s not important. Is he fit as far as curriculum goes? Is it going to be something he can keep up with, which is not really what I’m concerned about, but do they offer what you need and want to maximize your opportunity when you hit the real world? 

“He wants to experience Notre Dame. It’s Notre Dame. I don’t know if there is anything else to say.”  

Distance might not be a factor in the decision, but Tuliaupupu does appreciate the fact his son could play on national TV every weekend, and it’s a point the Notre Dame staff has stressed.

“The one thing I know they have emphasized and pointed out every time I have spoken with them is they are on TV every week,” Tuliaupupu said. “That’s always been in the back of my mind. You won’t ever miss his games because they are on TV every Saturday regardless of if it’s a home or away game. That’s one of the things that gives me a lot of comfort.” 

From a father’s standpoint, Tuliaupupu is focused on making sure his son has the best opportunity to succeed in life, whether that’s on the football field or in the classroom.  

“As a parent, I am just concerned with him matching up well when it comes to academics,” said Tuliaupupu. “It’s not about seeing the facilities as much as what kind of setup they have academically to make sure he’s going to maximize it while he’s there.”  

 
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