Chargers stay local by drafting USC edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu

Staff Writer

April 28, 2023 Updated 10:43 PM PT

The Chargers want to go a long way in 2023, and their effort to get there continued Friday by staying home.

The team drafted two defenders from Los Angeles, taking USC edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round (No. 54 overall) and Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley in the third (No. 85).

Tuipulotu played at Lawndale High and Henley at Crenshaw, where he once even served as a ball boy. Both players recently spent time with the Chargers during the team’s local pro day in Costa Mesa.

“Los Angeles?” general manager Tom Telesco said when asked about the talent available in the area. “You kidding me? It’s great.”

Also Friday, the Chargers exercised the fifth-year option on quarterback Justin Herbert and declined the option on linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr.

The move with Herbert is considered a formality as the sides will soon ramp up negotiations on an extension. The decision on Murray also was expected.

Tuipulotu brings the Chargers another much-needed option as a pass rusher along with positional versatility that was on full display during his time with the Trojans.

He led the country in sacks last season with 13½ and was deployed throughout USC’s defensive front. Telesco said the Chargers view Tuipulotu as an edge player but one they could move inside in certain passing situations.

“He’s really quick,” Telesco said. “Great hand use, just has a great ability to get off blocks one way or another, whether it’s instincts, slippery-ness, hand use, power. He’s just an active, active player.”

The Chargers had a need on the edge behind decorated starters Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Chris Rumph II, a fourth-round pick in 2021, has been a contributor more on special teams than defense so far.

Playing behind a pair of multiple Pro Bowl players, Tuipulotu will have a chance to develop and perhaps quickly. He’s also still a young player — he won’t be 21 until September.

“Coming into the league, that’s what I wanted,” Tuipulotu said. “I wanted vets to learn from. And, man, Joey Bosa and Khalil? That’s crazy. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

The potential connections here run deeper too. Wanting to improve his quickness off the line of scrimmage, Tuipulotu said he has studied tape of Bosa’s younger brother, Nick, who is an edge rusher for San Francisco.

“A 20-year-old player that’s going to walk into a room with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, that’s pretty good,” Telesco said. “There’ll be a lot of career growth with Tuli just age-wise and what he’s going to learn once he gets here.”

The Chargers have taken this route before, drafting another USC edge rusher — Uchenna Nwosu — in the second round (No. 48) in 2018. Nwosu developed into a starter during his four seasons with the team.

Sitting at home, about 20 minutes from SoFi Stadium, Tuipulotu admitted that he wasn’t watching the draft when the Chargers’ first pick came up Friday. Instead, he said he was “chilling outside,” playing cards and eating with his family.

For a moment often described as life-changing for so many players, Tuipulotu said he wasn’t terribly concerned about when he was drafted because his situation would be the same regardless.

“To be honest, I didn’t really care what round I went,” he said. “I just knew that wherever I went, I had to prove myself no matter what.”

Tuipulotu was unable to participate in the NFL’s traditional pre-draft testing because of a hamstring injury. Telesco said the Chargers would have a better handle on Tuipulotu’s health status in the coming days.

But Tuipulotu did earn the reputation of being a player willing to push through aches and pains at USC, finishing his college career with 30 consecutive starts.

Similar to Tuipulotu, Henley is expected to provide the Chargers with instinctive and versatile play. He began his college career at Nevada as a wide receiver before moving to safety and later linebacker.

Henley, 23, then played his final season with the Cougars, finishing second in the Pac-12 with 106 tackles, including 12 for loss.

He also had four sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley plays at Arizona on Nov. 19, 2022.

“Really athletic, instinctive and physical,” Telesco said. “Really fun to watch.”

The Chargers already have their starting linebackers in Murray and Eric Kendricks.

But Henley also brings extensive special teams experience, something the Chargers lost when Troy Reeder departed in free agency.

Henley led Washington State with six special teams tackles last season and could have a vital role in that regard as an NFL rookie.

“He’s extremely fast,” Telesco said. “He’s a violent hitter when it gets there.”

After taking Quentin Johnston with the 21st pick in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, the Chargers turned to the defense with the 23rd pick of the second round Friday and selected USC edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. He is the 54th pick overall. With their third-round pick, the Chargers also went defense by taking Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley with the 85th overall pick. Henley also starred at Crenshaw High.

Tuli Tuipulotu — edge

6 feet 3, 266 pounds, USC, Round 2, Pick 54

Notable: Tuipulotu’s brother, Marlon, was a defensive lineman at USC and a sixth-round pick by Philadelphia in 2021. He has appeared in 14 games for the Eagles over the last two seasons.

Last season: Playing on a USC defense that struggled, Tuipulotu was named the Pac-12 defensive player of the year after leading the nation with 13½ sacks.

Why the Chargers drafted him: After Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, the Chargers had a need for depth on the edge. Chris Rumph II has proven himself as a special teams player but has not provided much production on defense to date. Tuipulotu will come in with a chance to immediately become a rotational piece on a defense that needs to improve in its third season under head coach Brandon Staley.

Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley (1) pursues against Arizona State.

Daiyan Henley — linebacker

6 feet 1, 225 pounds, Washington State, Round 3, Pick 85

Notable: Henley’s father, Eugene, is also known as “Big U.” Eugene is a music executive who has worked with the likes of Snoop Dogg and, as a former gang member, served time in prison on drug charges. Eugene now runs a youth-centered nonprofit called “Developing Options.”

Last season: After playing at Nevada from 2017 to ’21, Henley finished at Washington State, where he had 106 tackles, including four sacks and an interception in 2022.

Why the Chargers drafted him: In need of depth and playmaking on defense, the Chargers went with a prospect who had 14 tackles for loss and five interceptions over his final two college seasons. Henley also is from Los Angeles and played at Crenshaw High, where former Chargers defensive lineman Brandon Mebane played.