Montana LB Solomon Tuliaupupu Granted 9th Year of Eligibility By NCAA

Montana linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu will return for the 2026 season after being granted a ninth year of eligibility by the NCAA. The announcement was made by the school on social media, alongside news that sixth-year offensive lineman Dylan Jemtegaard will also return. Tuliaupupu, who began his collegiate career at USC in 2018, was sidelined during his undergraduate years due to injuries requiring surgeries on his foot and knee. His first full season of play was in 2022 with USC, where he participated in all 14 games, recording 10 tackles and one quarterback hurry. After dealing with injuries and illness, he transferred to Montana in 2025. Tuliaupupu will now play under new Montana head coach Bobby Kennedy, following Bobby Hauck's move to Illinois as defensive coordinator.