Montana linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu is set to return for the 2026 season after receiving a ninth year of eligibility from the NCAA.
The university confirmed Tuliaupupu’s return via social media on Monday, along with sixth-year offensive lineman Dylan Jemtegaard.
Tuliaupupu is entering his second season at Montana following the start of his collegiate career at USC in 2018. He missed his entire undergraduate season at USC due to two injuries requiring surgery—one to his foot in 2018 and another to his knee in 2020.
The linebacker’s first season at Montana—which is his eighth overall—marked only his second full season playing and his third with actual game participation.
He made his debut as a redshirt senior in 2022, participating in all 14 games for the Trojans and tallying 10 tackles, with three for a loss and one quarterback hurry.
Tuliaupupu faced yet another injury in 2023, resulting in him missing the entire season. He concluded his USC career in 2024, where he played in seven games before his season was cut short due to illness. He transferred to Montana in 2025.
Tuliaupupu will play for new Montana head coach Bobby Kennedy, who has taken over from Bobby Hauck, recently appointed as the defensive coordinator at Illinois after a short retirement.
