Montana linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu will return for the 2026 season after being granted a ninth year of eligibility by the NCAA.
The school announced Tuliaupupu’s return on social media Monday, along with sixth-year offensive lineman Dylan Jemtegaard.
Tuliaupupu is entering his second season at Montana after beginning his collegiate career at USC in 2018. He was sidelined for his entire undergraduate campaign at USC due to the need for two surgeries on his foot (2018) and knee (2020).
The linebacker’s first season at Montana — and eighth overall — was his second full season playing and third with game action.
He saw the field for the first time as a redshirt senior in 2022, appearing in 14 games for the Trojans and recording 10 tackles, including three for loss and a quarterback hurry.
In 2023 Tuliaupupu was sidelined with another injury and missed the entire season. He wrapped up his USC career in 2024, playing in seven games for the Trojans before his season was cut short due to illness. He relocated to Montana in 2025.
Tuliaupupu will play under new Montana coach Bobby Kennedy. Kennedy replaces Bobby Hoke, who was named defensive coordinator at Illinois on Monday after a brief retirement.
