No position group on the USC roster currently raises more questions than the defensive line. The Trojans have a new answer en route.
Defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, a graduate transfer from Utah who has been deciding where to play his final season, tweeted a photo of himself Thursday evening donning cardinal and gold with the caption: “Ready to get back to work, FIGHT ON!!”
We confirmed with a source inside the program that Tu’ikolovatu is indeed set to transfer to the Trojans. Tu’ikolovatu has been interested in USC for some time and was awaiting release from Utah to transfer within the Pac-12.
Tu’ikolovatu, who will turn 25 at the end of June, cannot officially join the team until the beginning of training camp as a blueshirt but will then be eligible to play immediately. (He is allowed to participate in player-run practices this summer.)
The Trojans have been looking to add an extra piece to a young defensive line that consists of about 10 players, none of whom have more than a year of game experience at this level. Their No. 1 target was Tu'ikolovatu, who has played 25 games the past two years. He recorded 28 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks while starting two games for the Utes last season.
Tu’ikolovatu, listed at 6-foot-1, 320 pounds, would seem to be a natural fit at nose tackle. His presence up front will give USC options in its 5-2 alignment, specifically in regards to shuffling projected starters Rasheem Green and Noah Jefferson. This development will also allow more time for some of the rawer members of the D-line to mature. Tu’ikolovatu’s commitment could mean Coach Clay Helton will halt any further looks on defense for offensive linemen, some of whom he wanted to experiment with in the event of an emergency.
Also joining USC’s defensive line soon is 2016 signee Josh Fatu, a defensive tackle from Long Beach City College. This will give the Trojans at least eight non-true freshmen at their disposal.
We learned last week the program is open to possibly bringing in a second blueshirt defensive lineman this fall, perhaps another junior college transfer. Tu’ikolovatu will count toward the Class of 2017, but it’s a moot point since USC will reach the 85 scholarships limit before using all of next year's 23 slots and Tu’ikolovatu will only be on the roster for 2016.
In other words, this big addition comes at no cost. The only question now is how much it will be worth on the field.
Defensive tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, a graduate transfer from Utah who has been deciding where to play his final season, tweeted a photo of himself Thursday evening donning cardinal and gold with the caption: “Ready to get back to work, FIGHT ON!!”
We confirmed with a source inside the program that Tu’ikolovatu is indeed set to transfer to the Trojans. Tu’ikolovatu has been interested in USC for some time and was awaiting release from Utah to transfer within the Pac-12.
Tu’ikolovatu, who will turn 25 at the end of June, cannot officially join the team until the beginning of training camp as a blueshirt but will then be eligible to play immediately. (He is allowed to participate in player-run practices this summer.)
The Trojans have been looking to add an extra piece to a young defensive line that consists of about 10 players, none of whom have more than a year of game experience at this level. Their No. 1 target was Tu'ikolovatu, who has played 25 games the past two years. He recorded 28 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks while starting two games for the Utes last season.
Tu’ikolovatu, listed at 6-foot-1, 320 pounds, would seem to be a natural fit at nose tackle. His presence up front will give USC options in its 5-2 alignment, specifically in regards to shuffling projected starters Rasheem Green and Noah Jefferson. This development will also allow more time for some of the rawer members of the D-line to mature. Tu’ikolovatu’s commitment could mean Coach Clay Helton will halt any further looks on defense for offensive linemen, some of whom he wanted to experiment with in the event of an emergency.
Also joining USC’s defensive line soon is 2016 signee Josh Fatu, a defensive tackle from Long Beach City College. This will give the Trojans at least eight non-true freshmen at their disposal.
We learned last week the program is open to possibly bringing in a second blueshirt defensive lineman this fall, perhaps another junior college transfer. Tu’ikolovatu will count toward the Class of 2017, but it’s a moot point since USC will reach the 85 scholarships limit before using all of next year's 23 slots and Tu’ikolovatu will only be on the roster for 2016.
In other words, this big addition comes at no cost. The only question now is how much it will be worth on the field.
