Interview: Oregon 2017 4-Star Talent Marlon Tuipulotu is an Absolute Force on the Defensive Line

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

As a fan of football at any level, if you like watching defensive linemen just dominate a game up front, you will love watching Marlon Tuipulotu play. Tuipulotu uses a blend of athleticism, quickness, and brute strength to impose his will on opposing Oregon high school offenses.

Tuipulotu steamrolled the competition during the 2015 season coming up with a team-high 78 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, and knocked down two passes. He even picked off two passes. To highlight his impressive junior season a tad bit more, he played ironman football the entire year also lining up at right guard on offense.

Media and coaches throughout Oregon agreed that Central High School’s rising star was indeed one of the best in the state naming him first team All-Conference as both a defensive and offensive lineman, Conference Player of the Year on Defense, he was first team All-State on offense and defense, and was awarded as the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2015 season. For all of that work, Tuipulotu has been ranked as a 4-star recruit and has been invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Game.

If all that attention was not enough, the 6’2.5”, 280 pound, line mover is getting the same kind of recognition from the college ranks. Some of the best programs in the nation have extended offers including Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington, Arizona, Ole Miss, Boise State, Michigan, BYU, Central Florida, Utah, Washington State, Oregon State, Nebraska, and Notre Dame.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Tuipulotu recapping his growth on the field as a two-year starter, talked about some of his unofficial visits, and got a recruiting news update.

Interview

Marlon, watching your highlight reel you seem to have a knack for dominating the line of scrimmage on the defensive side. What are some of your strengths on the field as a defensive lineman?

“I think it is my quickness and my get off. My off from the snap of the ball, and the way I use my hands.”

What have you been working on in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“Pretty much everything. I’m trying to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I’m working on my footwork, getting quicker, and being more explosive off the ball.”

Have you maxed out on bench, squat, or power clean in the offseason?

“I have not maxed out yet. This time last year I was around 290 on my bench, my squat was 405, and my power clean was 245.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“As a team, our goal is to win league and state. That is our goal going in. Personally, I’m just trying to get better on the field and in the film room.”

Will your role change this year compared to 2016?

“On defense, I will play wherever they put me. On offense last year I played right guard. This year I might play left tackle. I’m not sure where I will play but the coaches will figure it out and I’ll be ready.”

Which position do you think you are better at, offensive line or defensive line?

“Personally, I like defense better.”

You already have a lot of offers coming in from top schools. Of the schools that have offered are there any pushing a little bit harder than the others trying to get your verbal commitment?

“No one has been pressuring me to commit. Lately, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Utah, Cal, Washington State, UCLA, and Michigan have been the main schools recruiting me.”

Are there any schools that are keeping regular contact but have not offered you yet?

“I’m in touch with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State coaches about once every two to three weeks.”

Which schools have you taken unofficial visits to so far?

“UCLA, USC, Oregon State, Oregon, and Washington.”

How did your visit to UCLA go?

“It was amazing. I really enjoyed the visit over there. I saw all the facilities, both academic and sports. Their defensive line coach, Coach (Angus) McClure, showed me around. I thought that was really nice of him. I got to meet some of the other coaches too. Overall had a good time and enjoyed it.”

What about your visit to USC, how did that go?

“That visit was a good visit. I spoke with their defensive line coach, Coach (Kenechi) Udeze, for a little bit. I toured their facilities, it was really nice. It was a good visit.”

I’m sure you get asked about Oregon a lot, so here goes another time. How did your visit to Oregon go?

“Every time I’m there, I’ve been on three visits there, every time I go there it gets better and better. I’m building that relationship with the coaches. I’ve seen the facilities and I’m used to it there. Last time it was fun talking to the coaches and I went to a practice. I got to see what the coaches are like during a practice and saw the defensive line coach and defensive coordinator work in practice. It was a really good visit.”

Do you have any unofficial visits you might be taking in the near future?

“Actually I’m taking an unofficial to Washington this weekend. I might be going to Cal around May, late May. We will see how it goes. The Washington visit is for sure.”

Which position are some of the schools recruiting you to play?

“Every school is recruiting me to play defensive tackle, the 3-techinque.”

Do you have a timeframe in mind on when you might be making a decision on the college of your choice?

“I’m not too sure. Whenever it feels right to commit I will do it as soon as I can to get recruiting over with.”

When that time comes to make a decision what are the main factors that will influence which school you commit and sign with to play your college ball?

“Just the comfortability of going to that school, the coaches, the teammates, and the education as well. Education is important to me. I want what is best for me and my family.”

Switching away from recruiting questions. How is everything going in the classroom?

“Everything is going really good right now. I have a 3.49 GPA cumulative. I’m trying to finish strong this semester to get it up. I’m working harder to get my grades up.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I’m taking the ACT around May.”

Have you started thinking about what you would like to major in once in college?

“I have been interested in going into construction, sports science, or coaching. Those are the three areas I am interested in now.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Right now it is history.”

Marlon, is there a NFL player you model your game after or just enjoy watching play the game?

“I’m starting to watch Aaron Donaldson (6-1, 285) with the St. Louis Rams. He is not that big but he is really quick. I like watching the quick guys off the ball.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Just the bond I have developed with my teammates while playing the sport that I really love. I always have fun getting on the field and playing at a competitive level.”

Marlon, thanks for your time today and good luck with your visit to Washington this weekend.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: vype.com; No. 51 Marlon Tuipulotu.

Photo credit: usatoday.com; Marlon Tuipulotu after winning a match.

Photo credit: Tuipulotu family; Marlon at UCLA.