Fenuki Tupou, OT

Fenuki Tupou had a stellar career at Sierra College, but head coach Mike Belotti gambled that Tupou (pronounced fen-UU-kee TUU-puu) would be better served spending the 2006 season acclimating to major college life.

That plan proved to be a good one. Tupou would go on to anchor the demanding left offensive tackle position for a unit that led the Pac-10 Conference in total offense during the last two seasons. Tupou registered 154 knockdowns and 25 touchdown-resulting blocks while starting 23 of the 24 games in which he appeared for the Ducks.

Tupou did a little bit of everything for the Center High School football team. He lined up at quarterback, defensive end, tight end and defensive tackle. In addition to competing in football, he earned three letters in track and also rugby.

Upon graduating, Tupou enrolled at Sierra College. The two-time All-Mid Empire Conference selection lined up at offensive tackle. The team went undefeated during his freshman season and in 2005 compiled a 9-2 mark, snapping a string of 37 consecutive victories. The Wolverines finished 12th in the state junior college ranks in total offense, averaging 430.7 yards per game his sophomore season.

That year, Tupou was named an All-American honorable mention by J.C. Grid-Wire and ranked 34th in the country among junior college recruits by Rivals.com. He received a four-star prospect rating from Scout.com, and closed out his career with 15 knockdowns and two touchdown-resulting blocks in a 35-24 win over Butte College in the community college Holiday Bowl.

The list of suitors for Tupou's services was as long as any other prospect's in the 2006 junior college recruiting class. He had offers from Nebraska, Arizona, Washington, California, Brigham Young, Oregon State, Texas Christian and Michigan. His deciding factor on selecting a program was the quality of education.

"Number one, the most important thing for me is the education," Tupou told Scout.com, noting he hoped to major in law or business. "I want to go to a school with a quality education, because after I'm done playing I will need that to fall back on." Oregon would soon be his next "port of call," as he enrolled in time to compete in 2006 spring drills.

Most young players would have been disappointed by the decision to redshirt him in 2006, but Tupou saw the benefit of sitting out the year.

In 2007, Tupou took over left offensive tackle duties for the Ducks. He earned second-team All-Pac 10 Conference honors and was the recipient of the Jimmy Rogers Jr. Most Valuable Lineman Award in the Sun Bowl, as he manhandled All-American pass rusher George Selvie, holding the South Florida standout to one assisted tackle while knocking him down 10 times and recording two touchdown-resulting blocks.

As a junior, Tupou started 12 of the Ducks' 13 games, seeing limited action vs. California due to a mild concussion. He finished his first season at Oregon with 85 knockdowns and 12 touchdown-resulting blocks. He allowed just two quarterback sacks on 413 pass plays, helping the Ducks average 467.54 yards in total offense and 41.92 points per game, leading the Pac-10 in both categories.

In 2008, Tupou almost saw his season come to an end before it began. He was suspended for the season opener after accepting a meal and $100 from a sports agent. The senior served the one-game, NCAA-imposed suspension after reporting his violation to the athletic department and turning the money over to its compliance office. He told university officials he met with a representative at a Eugene restaurant in July. The representative, according to Tupou, paid for the $10 meal and gave him five $20 bills during a parting handshake.

Tupou said he tried to return the cash several times, but was refused. According to NCAA bylaws, athletes can meet with agents, but can't accept any benefits or enter a formal agreement until their playing eligibility is complete. The university notified the Pacific-10 Conference and the NCAA, who in turn notified the NFL Players Association, the union that oversees agents. The NCAA issued the one-game suspension and ordered Tupou to donate the money to charity.

The left tackle returned to his familiar position in the second game, starting 10 contests. He sat out the UCLA contest due to a right knee sprain that he suffered in the first quarter against USC. Tupou posted 74 knockdowns and 13 touchdown-resulting blocks as Oregon again led the conference with an average of 484.85 yards in total offense per game. For his performance, he was named an All-American third-team and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice.

Positives: Girth is spread evenly throughout his body and he looks natural despite his massive size. Good initial quickness. Keeps his hands active in pass protection. Shuffles his feet quickly and with good balance to gain depth on his kick-slide while in pass protection. Can turn and flatten his opponent as a drive blocker. Cognizant, aggressive blocker who looks for defenders to hit and often combos before breaking free to block at the second level.

Negatives: Protected a bit by the rollouts and spread attack utilized by Oregon. Can get caught leaning to the outside on his initial kick-slide, and is vulnerable to quick inside spins. Despite his strength and long arms, doesn't always use them to his advantage, too often short-arming defenders and allowing them to dictate the action. Struggles hitting targets and sustaining blocks at the second level. Slow in recognizing and reacting to outside blitz. Not effective as a cut blocker.

GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 6.44

Body Structure: Has a massive frame with thick muscular development. While not fat, he has thickness all over his physique and found his best weight (330) as a senior. He has the wide hips and thick thighs and calves to anchor vs. the bull rush and the upper-body strength, along with good arm length, to make reach blocks. His hands are smaller than ideal, but do deliver a strong jolt on contact.

Athletic Ability: While a bit heavy-legged, Tupou shows decent initial quickness to battle for position coming off the snap. He shows a strong anchor and a wide base when he keeps his pads down and while he lumbers moving into space, he is adequate with his lateral slide to work down the line and lead on short pulls and traps. He might not win many foot races in the open, nor open his hips quickly, but he is not really stiff (lacks good foot technique). He generally plays well on his feet and while he might struggle in space, he does a good job pinching the action inside and moving in-line, making him a possible guard candidate at the next level. He has outstanding upper and lower body strength to control his man, but is much better when he sinks his weight and plays low in his pads (tends to short arm when getting tall in his stance, causing the defender to get a side and escape). GRADE: 7.1

Football Sense: Tupou is still a work in progress when it comes to play recognition. He can be fooled by twists and games and is sometimes caught leaning too much into his man, using his body as a crutch. He needs to be more decisive moving out to mirror edge rushers and must be more alert to the blitz. He is slowly developing better awareness when chipping at the second level, but he is the type that needs more than a few reps to retain plays. Does learn, but his recognition skills are a concern. GRADE: 5.4

Character: Receives lots of support from his family, but is still maturing off the field. He was suspended by the NCAA for the 2008 season opener after accepting money from a sports agency (tried to return the money after the agent handed it to him at a restaurant, but was refused) and with his junior college background, he will need some patient coaching to develop, but is the type that takes well to this way of mentoring. GRADE: 6.1

Competitiveness: One thing you quickly notice on film is his great aggression. Tupou plays with good effort. Might have some stamina issues late in games (will use his body and lean into an opponent), but he never takes plays off and shows toughness until the whistle. He is a very aggressive player, though you will not see him get reckless and draw the ref's attention (just one penalty in two years at Oregon). He plays with a determined attitude and always plays the game with urgency. He takes pride in his play and will do what it takes to succeed. GRADE: 7.2

Work Habits: Is a decent worker in all areas, but needs to be monitored in the offseason, so he doesn't have weight issues. Tupou works hard to increase his upper-body strength while not asked to take on a leadership role, he does respond well to his coaches. As he has matured, he is becoming more vocal and more aware of what he needs to do in the offseason to prepare. GRADE: 6.4

ATHLETIC REPORT

GRADE: 6.58

Initial Quickness: Not explosive, but Tupou has good initial quickness off the snap. He hits with good force to generate movement. Is best when playing in a phone booth, as he has the functional burst to gain position working in-line, but will struggle to get out and cut off second-level opponents. When he stays low in his pads, he has enough body quickness to shock the defender coming off the ball and his adequate lateral agility lets him maintain position working the outside pass rush back into the line. He moves well in the short area for a player of his size and has enough quickness to slide and reach in his pass set, but might be better served being covered up and not exposed on an island at left tackle by shifting inside to guard. GRADE: 6.3

Lateral Movement: Might not be a great second-level defender, but he is not stiff (just lumbering) when working laterally. He will get narrow based playing in space, causing for balance issues, but he began showing in 2008 that he can still cut off linebackers on the short pulls and traps. GRADE: 5.8

Balance/Stays On Feet: Tupou played in a spread offense, but has shown balance issues on the move and might be best playing inside at guard or at right tackle to cover up his inability to mirror speedy edge rushers. Still, he has very good strength and force behind his hits to lock up and control his man. When he keeps his smallish hands inside his frame, he is quite effective mauling his opponent, but must be conscious of his hand technique (will throw them wildly, especially when tall in his stance). Just adequate sustaining when he fails to keep his feet under him. When he uses his hands well to gain movement, he is better attempting to slide and mirror -- when his pads are down, he shuffles his feet better. There are times he will get top heavy and tall in his stance, leading to over-extending and off balance stance on his part. GRADE: 5.8

Explosion/Pop: He hits with great force when he keeps his hands inside his frame, but is prone to opening his shoulders too much and gets too tall in his stance to generate the needed leg drive to root out defenders. He has the frame and power to maul his opponent, but poor foot technique when trying to hit a moving target. If he sinks his weight and fires low off the snap, he has the raw power to flatten his opponent. Is a classic mauler in need of footwork refinement. He does have the hand punch and upper-body strength to consistently move defenders off the ball when he stays low in his pads, doing a nice job of sealing and widening the rush lanes. GRADE: 8.0

Run Blocking: Tupou easily roots out defenders thanks to his natural strength. He is a classic road grader who can stun an opponent with his punch when he maintains inside hand position. He will short-arm a bit, but when he extends his arms, he hits with force. Is a violent puncher who uses his upper body well to control (will lean at times, but this does help when engulfing smaller defenders). Based on his sheer body mass and strength, he should have no problem creating movement and widening rush lanes vs. bigger defensive tackles, if shifting inside to guard in the pros. GRADE: 7.5

Pass Blocking: An efficient pass protector when he maintains balance, but there are times where he uses his body as a crutch, leaning into the defender rather than extending. He needs to do a better job of positioning to handle the outside blitz and is better protecting the pocket when moving in-line rather than moving out to defend on the edge (marginal kick-slide). Not the type to suddenly engage edge rushers, but has learned to compensate for a lack of explosive feet with good patience and maturity, letting the defender come to him. With his strong anchor, few bull rushers can slip past him if he keeps his pads down. He has also shown more confidence using his reach the second half of the 2008 season, as he was more effective when he utilized his long arms to lock out the edge rusher. As long as he continues to use his hands with force to engage and punch, he will have no problem walling off his man. Needs to keep his hands active and inside his frame to gain leverage, as he does not have the loose hips to readjust back into the play when a defender slips past him on the outside. GRADE: 7.3

Pulling/Trapping: While Tupou might be a better fit as a guard, he does have balance issues attacking a moving target. He needs to run with a wide base (gets caught up in his feet) and keep his head on a swivel (ducks it and loses sight of his man). He struggles to recover when beaten and needs to show loose hips when changing direction. He appears to drag his feet when moving forward and those feet all but die in the open field, making him a liability going long distances as a lead blocker. He is limited as a blocker in space due to marginal footwork and needs to improve his pad level when moving past the line of scrimmage. His feet will never be anything more than adequate, but for short pulls, he can get down the line of scrimmage and pick up the defender. GRADE: 6.3

Adjust on Linebacker Downfield: Adequate on the short pull, but he labors running long distances and has yet to pick up the nuances of angling in the second level. He has some balance issues (crosses feet) on the move and needs to use his hands better to impact when colliding. He did a better job as a senior in this area, as he started to gain confidence in angling, but he just seems to lack the smooth agility and lateral quickness to cut off and pick up in space. GRADE: 5.7

Use of Hands/Punch: Strong punch and good arm length. He has smaller-than-ideal hands and just adequate hand placement, especially when making initial contact with the defender. He needs to do a better job of reach blocks and has a penchant for keeping his arms too close to his body rather than extending, which allows opponents to get into his chest quite a bit. When the defender gets a piece of his jersey, he is not quick to counter and can be steered off his anchor. He is a violent puncher and uses his upper-body strength and body mass to control. When he uses his hands effectively to lock on, he also brings his feet to anchor, which gives him better balance to place his hands. GRADE: 7.4

Reactions/Awareness: Tupou needs to play in a power system and might be a better fit inside, where he can work in unison with other blockers rather than be exposed to twists and games on the outside. He is still a work in progress when it comes to play recognition and he doesn't react quickly to an array of moves (short arms a bit). He can be fooled by tricks and will take false steps trying to step out and mirror. He looks hesitant at times in combating an edge rusher taking a side, but when he drops his pads and uses his size to wall off, he is much more capable of handling quick counter moves. GRADE: 5.7

Compares To: JEFF OTAH, Carolina -- Tupou will learn under fire in the NFL, as he has just two years of major college experience under his belt. He has his problems vs. speed rushers and Tupou might be better suited playing the role of mauler as an offensive guard, using forceful impact to widen the rush lanes. He lacks the sudden instincts you want from your left tackle and if he is left out on an island there, like Otah and Pittsburgh's Max Starks, he will need backfield blocking help to handle the speedy edge rushers.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.56

In 24 games at Oregon, Tupou started 22 times, logging action in 1,693 plays … Registered 159 knockdowns, 25 touchdown-resulting blocks and 11 downfield blocks … Was penalized just once in two seasons … Allowed just two quarterback pressures and 2.5 sacks on 786 pass plays.

All-American third-team selection by The NFL Draft Report … Earned first-team All-Pac 10 Conference honors from Phil Steele's College Football magazine and second-team accolades from the league's coaches and Rivals.com … Started twelve games at left tackle, missing the final three quarters of the Southern California contest and the entire UCLA game after he suffered a right knee lateral collateral ligament sprain in the first quarter vs. the Trojans … Was also suspended for the season opener vs. Washington due to a team rules violation … Still managed to register 74 knockdowns, 13 touchdown-resulting blocks and seven downfield blocks, helping the team rank second in the nation and lead the league in rushing (280.08 yards per game) … The Ducks also led the Pac-10 and ranked seventh nationally in total offense (484.85 yards per game) and scoring (41.92 points per game) … Part of a front wall that placed second in the conference, allowing 20 sacks for minus-121 yards, as Tupou was charged with 0.5 of those sacks and two pressures on 373 pass plays, finishing with an 85.7% grade for blocking consistency.

Washington … Did not play in the season opener, as the NCAA suspended him for the game while reviewing an incident where he accepted money from a sports agency.

Utah State … Tupou made his 2008 debut a memorable one, posting eight knockdowns and grading a career-high 99% as the Ducks amassed 408 yards on the ground … At the start of the second quarter, he flattened defensive end Nathan Royster on tailback LaGarrette Blount's 36-yard scoring scamper around the left side … On the next series, Blount used a hole created inside by Tupou for a 1-yard touchdown that ended a 5-play, 73-yard series …

Head to Head Competition-DE#54-Nathan Royster (6:00-256)-No tackles … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded eight knockdowns, one down field block and two touchdown-resulting blocks, grading a career-high 99% … Helped the team gain 408 yards with three touchdowns on 53 carries (7.70 ypc) and generate 688 total yards on 88 snaps (7.82 yards per play).

Purdue … Tupou followed with seven knockdowns as the Ducks totaled 503 yards … In overtime, he leveled defensive tackle Mike Neal to clear an inside rush lane used by tail-back LaGarrette Blount for a game-winning 3-yard score in a 32-26 decision … Head to Head Competition-DE#94-Ryan Kerrigan (6:04-244)-Five tackles (4 solos), one forced fumble … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded seven knockdowns and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 80% … Helped the team gain 306 yards with two touchdowns on 43 carries (7.12 ypc) and generate 503 total yards on 91 snaps (5.53 yards per play).

Washington State … The left tackle delivered a season-high nine knockdowns that included two touchdown-resulting blocks, paving the way for Oregon to pick up six touchdowns on the ground … After being called for a false start (only penalty he recorded at Oregon), Tupou exacted revenge by blasting defensive end Matt Mullennix to the ground on a 7-yard scoring burst by tailback Jeremiah Johnson early in the first quarter … Johnson used Tupou's cut block on linebacker Kendrick Dunn for a 45-yard scamper and on third-&-1, the left tackle cleared space for Johnson's 10-yard touchdown that capped a 6-play, 80-yard second quarter possession … Head to Head Competition-DE#58-Matt Mullennix (6:06-253)-Six tackles (3 solos) … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded nine knockdowns, one down field block and two touchdown-resulting blocks, but was penalized once, grading 87% … Helped the team gain 346 yards with six touchdowns on 53 carries (6.53 ypc) and generate 507 total yards on 72 snaps (7.04 yards per play).

Southern California … Tupou left the game in the first quarter with a right knee lateral collateral ligament sprain, missing the final three quarters of action.

UCLA … Tupou sat out the game while continuing to recover from the right knee sprain he suffered vs. Southern California.

Arizona State … Back in the lineup, the left tackle registered seven knockdowns a for the third time in five full games, he had two touchdown-resulting blocks … He tripped trying to block Dexter Davis and the defensive end took down Jeremiah Johnson for a 4-yard loss early in the first quarter, but later in that stanza, he upended Davis as QB Jeremiah Masoli followed Tupou into the end zone on a 3-yard keeper … In the second quarter, tailback LaGarrette Blunt took a third-&-1 handoff and used a hole between left tackle and guard for a 10-yard touchdown march … Head to Head Competition-DE#58-Dexter Davis (6:02-252)-One solo tackle for a 4-yard loss … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded seven knock-downs and two touchdown-resulting blocks, grading 91% … Helped the team gain 304 yards with five touchdowns on 43 carries (7.07 ypc) and generate 537 total yards on 73 snaps (7.36 yards per play).

Stanford … Despite taking on a fierce blitz, Tupou posted six knockdowns, helping the team generate 451 yards that included 307 rushing … In the third quarter, he steamrolled over defensive end Erik Lorig and then shoved linebacker Clinton Snyder to the ground on a 38-yard scoring scamper by LaGarrette Blount … Head to Head Competition-DE#80-Erik Lorig (6:04-257)-Three solo tackles … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded six knockdowns, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 83% … Helped the team gain 307 yards with three touchdowns on 41 carries (7.49 ypc) and generate 451 total yards on 62 snaps (7.26 yards per play).

Arizona … Tupou showed off his pass blocking skills, as five of his six knockdowns came on Oregon tosses, resulting in 248 aerial yards for the day … Late in the third quarter, he knocked linebacker Ronnie Palmer into defensive end D'Aundre Reed on a 44-yard scoring strike from Jeremiah Masoli to Terence Scott … Head to Head Competition-DE#83-D'Aundre Reed (6:04-246)-One assisted tackle … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded six knockdowns, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 88% … Helped the team gain 206 yards with four touchdowns on 30 carries (6.87 ypc) and generate 504 total yards on 57 snaps (8.84 yards per play).

Oregon State … The left tackle allowed his only sack for the season, but came up with nine knockdowns to compensate, as the offense exploded for 694 yards … On third-&-8, rush end Slade Norris went around left tackle to sack QB Jeremiah Masoli for a 10-yard loss and force an early third quarter punt … On the next series, Tupou made up for the miscue by taking Reed down to spring LaGarrette Blount for a 46-yard jaunt. Two plays later, the left tackle flattened Reed to pace the way for a 14-yard touchdown run by Masoli that ended a 5-play, 76-yard possession … Head to Head Competition-DE#58-Slade Norris (6:03-245)-Five assisted tackles, 0.5 sack for a 5-yard loss … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded nine knockdowns, one down field block and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 85% … Helped the team gain 385 yards with three touchdowns on 51 carries (7.55 ypc) and generate 694 total yards on 69 snaps (10.06 yards per play).

Oklahoma State (Holiday Bowl) … Tupou closed out his career with a touchdown-resulting block among his six knockdowns, as the Ducks gained 565 yards … In the third quarter, he pasted defensive end Derek Burton with a forearm blast to clear the way for a 41-yard touchdown on a bootleg by QB Jeremiah Masoli … Head to Head Competition-DE#98-Derek Burton (6:03-277)-Four tackles (1 solo), 0.5 stop for a 1-yard loss … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded six knockdowns and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 82% … Helped the team gain 307 yards with five touchdowns on 40 carries (7.68 ypc) and generate 565 total yards on 72 snaps (7.85 yards per play).

All-Pac 10 Conference second-team selection in his first season at the university … Named to ESPN's All-Bowl Team, as he was the recipient of the Jimmy Rogers Jr. Most Valuable Lineman Award in the Sun Bowl, after shutting down South Florida's Walter Camp All-American defensive end George Selvie in the Ducks' lopsided victory … Saw limited action vs. California due to a mild concussion suffered in practice prior to the game … Collected 85 knockdowns, 12 touchdown-resulting blocks and four down field blocks, as he graded 84.92% for blocking consistency … Charged with allowing just two quarterback sacks and no pressures on 413 pass plays … Also recovered a fumble vs. South Florida in the Sun Bowl … Part of a front wall that helped the team lead the conference and rank 10th nationally in total offense (467.54 yards per game) while pacing the league and placing 12th in the major college ranks with an average of 38.15 points scored per game.

Michigan … Tupou did not allow any tackles while posting five knockdowns for a unit that tallied 624 yards … In the second quarter, he flattened nose guard Terrance Taylor on a 9-yard inside run for a score by QB David Dixon, ending a 9-play, 80-yard series … Head Competition-DE#92-Greg Banks (6:04-262)-No tackles … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded five knockdowns and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 88% … Helped the team gain 331 yards with two touchdowns on 51 carries (6.49 ypc) and generate 624 total yards on 77 snaps (8.10 yards per play).

Stanford … The left tackle registered seven knockdowns, pacing a front wall that helped the Ducks amass 589 yards … Defensive end Pannel Egboh was run over by Tupou on a third-&-2 carry by tailback Jeremiah Johnson for a 12-yard score, finishing an 86-yard, 11-play third quarter possession … Head Competition-DE#80-Erik Lorig (6:04-260)-Two tackles (1 solo) … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded seven knockdowns and one touchdown-resulting block, grading 85% … Helped the team gain 222 yards with three touchdowns on 46 carries (4.83 ypc) and generate 589 total yards on 83 snaps (7.10 yards per play).

California … Saw limited action off the bench, as the staff was cautious playing him after Tupou suffered a mild concussion in practice on September 26th.

Washington … Back in the starting lineup, Tupou produced eight knockdowns and a pair of touchdown-resulting blocks, but was tagged for giving up a sack … On a late first quarter drive, he saw defensive end Greyson Gunheim first tackle tailback Jonathan Stewart for a 3-yard loss and also let Gunheim sack QB David Dixon for minus 6 yards in the opening frame … He made up for those blown assignments by knocking down the defensive end on a third quarter 17-yard touchdown run by Andre Crenshaw and repeated that block on Gunheim to spring Crenshaw for a 5-yard touchdown burst in the fourth stanza … Head to Head Competition-DE#7-Greyson Gunheim (6:05-265)-Two solo tackles, a 6-yard sack, two stops for minus 9 yards … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded eight knockdowns, one down field block and two touchdown-resulting blocks, grading 89% … Helped the team gain 465 yards with six touchdowns on 62 carries (7.50 ypc) and generate 661 total yards on 92 snaps (7.18 yards per play).

Arizona … Tupou posted a regular season-high grade of 91%, delivering eight knockdowns as the team collected 463 yards … On the team's first series, he flattened defensive end Louis Holmes to spring QB David Dixon for a 39-yard touchdown on a fourth-&-3 option play … Later in the fourth quarter, Andre Crenshaw used a first-&-goal crease between left tackle and guard for a 2-ysard score that capped a 17-play, 71-yard series … Head to Head Competition-DE#97-Honathan Turner (6:03-252)-Three assisted tackles … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded eight knockdowns, one down field block and two touchdown-resulting blocks, grading 91% … Helped the team gain 238 yards with two touchdowns on 43 carries (5.53 ypc) and generate 463 total yards on 97 snaps (4.77 yards per play).

South Florida (Sun Bowl) … Tupou had perhaps the finest game of his career, earning bowl Offensive Lineman MVP honors, as he not only made ten knockdowns with two touch-down resulting blocks, but held the nation's premier pass rusher, George Selvie, to one assisted tackle … He helped set up an Oregon 39-yard field goal after recovering a fumble by QB Justin Roper early in the second quarter … Later in that frame, he took down two defenders as tailback Jonathan Stewart raced around left tackle for a 71-yard scoring burst … Later in the second half, he flattened Selvie in the backfield, giving Roper time to fire an 8-yard screen pass to Stewart for a touchdown … Head to Head Competition-DE#95-George Selvie (6:04-242)-One assisted tackle … Offensive Impact-Tupou recorded ten knockdowns, one down field block and two touchdown-resulting blocks, grading 98% … Helped the team gain 353 yards with one touchdown on 43 carries (8.21 ypc) and generate 533 total yards on 73 snaps (7.30 yards per play).

Enrolled at Oregon in time to compete in April camp … Thanks to an experienced offensive line, it afforded the coaching staff the luxury or redshirting Tupou for the season, preserving two years of eligibility while he refined his skills to become more effective in the future.

2007: Saw limited action in the California game (9/26) after suffering a mild concussion in practice (9/26) prior to the meeting.

2008: Did not play vs. UCLA (10/11) after suffering a right knee lateral collateral ligament sprain in the first quarter vs. Southern California (10/04), missing the final three quarters of that contest.

Campus: 5.26 in the 40-yard dash … 1.76 10-yard dash … 3.01 20-yard dash … 4.69 20-yard shuttle … 7.67 three-cone drill … 26 1/2-inch vertical jump … 8'7" broad jump … 415-pound bench press (best among active players on the team) … 565-pound squat … 345-pound power clean … 32 3/4-inch arm length … 8 7/8-inch hands.

Combine: 5.40 in the 40-yard dash … 1.78 10-yard dash … 3.06 20-yard dash … 5.02 20-yard shuttle … 8.33 three-cone drill … 25 1/2-inch vertical jump … 7'10" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times … 34-inch arm length … 8 3/4-inch hands.

2008: Tupou missed the Ducks' season-opening win over Washington (8/30) because he accepted a meal and received $100 from the representative of a professional sport management firm. The senior served the one-game, NCAA-imposed suspension after reporting his actions to the athletic department earlier in the week and turning the money over to its compliance office. Tupou told university officials he met with a representative of LMM Sports Management, Tim Norling, at a Eugene restaurant in July. The representative, according to Tupou, paid for the $10 meal and gave him five $20 bills during a parting handshake. Tupou said he tried to return the cash several times, but was refused. According to NCAA bylaws, athletes can meet with agents, but can't accept any benefits or enter a formal agreement until their playing eligibility is complete. The university notified the Pacific-10 Conference and the NCAA, who in turn notified the NFL Players Association, the union that oversees agents. The NCAA issued the one-game suspension and ordered Tupou to donate the money to charity. "I'm sorry that I allowed myself to be put in this situation," Tupou said in a statement released by the university. "I apologized to my teammates and coaches. It will not happen again." … In late December, Tupou's NCAA violation for having contact with an agent was turned over to the Pacific-10 Conference's compliance and enforcement committee. Oregon executive assistant athletic director Bill Clever, who deals with compliance, believes the Pac-10 and NCAA will forgo further punishment. "I fully anticipate that the NCAA, upon its review, will be satisfied," Clever said.

Tupou lettered twice at Sierra (Rocklin, Cal.) College (2004-05), playing for head coach Jeff Tisdel … The two-time All-Mid Empire Conference selection lined up at offensive tackle, as the team went undefeated during his freshman season and in 2005, compiled a 9-2 mark, snapping a string of 37 consecutive victories … The Wolverines finished 12th in the state junior college ranks in total offense, averaging 430.7 yards per game during his 2005 campaign … That year, Tupou was named an All-American honorable mention by J.C. Grid-Wire and ranked 34th in the country among junior college recruits by Rivals.com … Also received a four-star prospect rating from Scout.com … Closed out his career with fifteen knockdowns and two touchdown-resulting blocks in a 35-24 win over Butte College in the community college Holiday Bowl.

Attended Center (Antelope, Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach Jon Gallagher … Was a gridiron jack-of-all-trades, lining up at quarterback, defensive end, tight end and defensive tackle … Added three letters in both track and rugby.

Political Science major … One of six children (four brothers, one sister) of Mele and Tevita Kulu Tupou … Born Fenuki A. Tupou on 5/02/85 in Sacramento, California.