James Tupou: Path To The NFL Draft
By Simon Carroll
Polynesia has an unmistakable presence in the NFL. Hundreds of men with heritage from the thousand islands in the Pacific Ocean have graced the gridiron. In fact, the region has produced so many pro football players, the Polynesian Hall of Fame was established in 2013 to recognise their achievements. Three members – Junior Seau, Kevin Mawae and Troy Polamalu – have their busts enshrined in Canton.
James Tupou’s family hails from Tonga, a particular ancestral hotbed of NFL talent. He and his brother Sione both hope to play on Sundays and further the tradition, but the former UTEP fullback offers more than just a familiar culture that will translate to the next level. He sits down with Simon Carroll to discuss his path to the NFL Draft:
James & Sione: The Two Tupou's
If I had to guess, I’d say that most, if not all NFL fullbacks drive trucks. A no-nonsense vehicle for a no-nonsense breed of football player. Sturdy. Powerful. And likely to come out on top in any kind of collision. So I’m not sure why I was surprised to find James Tupou sitting in the driver’s seat of one for our interview. I’ve caught him straight after a workout, but as I’m about to find out, once he’s decided to do something, Tupou isn’t the kind of guy to back out. Training is a perfect place to start, because James has been working on his football craft for as long as he can remember:
“I grew up in Sacramento until I was thirteen. My dad was the first one to introduce me and my brother to football, Sione was seven and I was six. But we moved to Allen, Texas when I was in middle school. My family wanted a restart, and Texas offered a better living for us. They had opportunities there, and they also knew that me and my brother had some football talent. Where better to play ball than in Texas?”
The family move to the Lone Star State put football firmly at the heart of family life. Attending Allen High School, Tupou would star at linebacker, suiting up alongside a modern day NFL superstar:
“At high school, my brother made varsity in his sophomore year, and I knew I had to follow in his footsteps. But our team was pretty successful! We both played with Kyler Murray, and in my junior year we won State. As a senior I was named honorable mention for All-State, first team All-District, and many other nominations that I have to thank my coaches and my dad for. They really helped me begin my football career.”
From Allen To El Paso
✍🏽️. pic.twitter.com/92k0XW4crx
— James Tupou (@tupou54) January 31, 2017
James Tupou’s success was matched by that of the team – The Eagles went 28-2 during his time with the program. Interestingly, Tupou credits some other sports that allowed him to develop his game on the gridiron:
“I actually played wrestling at school too! My dad believed it would help enhance my football ability and make me an overall better athlete. He wasn’t lying – my tackling got a lot better, I controlled my aggression better, and I got more comfortable in hand placement. I also ran some track too, threw shot put. Anything to get quicker, stronger, and be outside. But football was always my biggest love.”
Tupou’s exploits at Allen gave him some modest interest on the recruiting trail. And if it wasn’t for a rethink in his priorities, the linebacker could have been plying his trade 1,100 miles away in South Carolina:
“It was probably in my senior year when I finally saw some recruiting action. I had offers from three schools; The Citadel, Prairie View and UTEP. I was originally committed to The Citadel, but as signing day got closer I questioned whether I wanted to do the military thing or have a more conventional education…”
In the end, Tupou’s change of heart was less surprising than his original decision to head to Charleston – from an outsiders perspective, the offer from UTEP seemed the obvious choice. It was a conclusion that James eventually came to himself:
“The Citadel isn’t the same as Army, Navy or Air Force. They’re a very laid back military school. You can keep your hair long, dorms are more relaxed etc. It’s a very prestigious school too, and a beautiful campus – it’s like a big castle! But in the end, I just couldn’t picture myself there. And my brother being at UTEP, that was huge for me. Him being on campus, and all the cool guys that were recruited with him, I met them all twelve months earlier when I joined him on a trip to El Paso. I just felt so at ease there – everything seemed perfect.”
Re-Thinking His Role
It wasn’t quite perfect. UTEP didn’t have a scholarship to give Tupou until the Spring semester, meaning he had to grayshirt his first year on campus. During that time, a new coaching staff came in, and in the cutthroat world of college football, there was no guarantee that The Miners would honour the scholarship. But new head coach Dana Dimel is nothing if not a man of integrity, and Tupou was able to join the team for the 2018 season. His introduction to the field was predominantly on special teams:
“Save for a little bit of running back when I was young, I played linebacker my entire life. I’d always had the knack of being athletic, with really good feet. But from a sophomore to a senior at high school, I never touched offense. I got to UTEP as a linebacker, with every intention of that being the position for the rest of my career. But after grayshirting the first semester, I primarily played special teams as a freshman. I think I saw the last two minutes of the last game of the year as a linebacker. In three plays I made two tackles, so I’m thinking ‘next year I’ll see more gametime.’”
Tupou’s efforts on special teams didn’t go unnoticed. But still buried on the depth chart as a linebacker, the coaching staff thought outside the box to get him on the field and utilise his skillset more:
“In Spring Camp, Coach Dimel came up to me and said ‘James, how do you feel about playing fullback?’ It kinda threw me off at first, but I knew I had to get on that field. I told him I’d do anything for gametime. So I made the switch, and five games into the season, I get thrown in against FIU. And I just took that opportunity and ran with it. I feel like I was respected for never moaning about being a backup, and I embraced special teams duties – I played on special teams all six years at UTEP. They even used me as a running back on occasion. The more I did, the more they trusted me. I was willing to do it all.”
"A Player's Coach"
Dana Dimel has previous when it comes to switching player’s positions; recently I spoke to Trent Thompson, who Dimel moved all around the offense in his UTEP career. But both he and James Tupou share a real appreciation of their former head coach and what he did for them and their football careers:
“Honestly, I don’t think you’ll find more of a ‘players coach’ than Coach Dimel. He’s all about getting to know us as people, making sure we were healthy, keeping an eye on our grades – just a great man as well as a great coach. And what that did, it made us all want to play hard for him. He really takes care of his athletes. Nowadays, it’s so hard to find coaches like that – the business of football is so consuming. Coach Dimel gives you chances, trusts you, and once you perform to the levels needed, he’ll keep you there.”
Whilst we’re on the subject, I ask James which coaches helped him the most during his time in El Paso. The fullback was quick to praise two men who were able to enhance his game both mentally and physically:
Coach (Drew) Liddle is a man I have to give the utmost credit to – at UTEP, if you can’t block, you ain’t gonna play. It’s that simple. And his consistent work on the fundamentals allowed me to really develop in that regard, particularly in my final year. Coach (Jake) Walters started things off, and Coach Liddle took it to the next level. And the strength and conditioning coach, Coach (Kevin) Schadt – his motto is ‘mental toughness’. What he does is, he breaks you down piece by piece, then builds you back up again both mentally and physically stronger. This past Summer, working out with him, I’ve never been in better shape. When it came to gametime my body was right, and my mind was clear.”
Seeing The Job Through
UTEP football is bowl eligible! Miners defeat LA Tech 19-3. pic.twitter.com/aXn8Uqfjz8
— Daniel Borunda (@BorundaDaniel) October 17, 2021
It’s fair to say UTEP, historically, has a modest football program. But under Coach Dimel’s leadership, James Tupou was able to witness first hand something of a turnaround in El Paso. In his first five years on campus, the program went from no wins to a bowl game by 2021. Tupou suggests it was a true testament to the dedication of a core group of players and coaches to build success:
“Playing at UTEP and working up from like no wins, one win to ultimately seven, it builds character. Watching guys come and go, you being there with those that stuck it out, you create a real brotherhood. The early seasons, they were hard for sure. But nothing worth striving for was ever easy to get. Getting over that hump was so satisfying. Getting to the Frisco Bowl, it was a big relief. We finally did it.”
Before the start of his final year, Tupou had a decision to make. His brother Sione was transferring to Texas State, and James considered joining him in San Marcos. Ultimately, a realisation of what he had at UTEP was too much to give up:
“I had to call my dad and discuss it with him. Because I really wanted to follow my brother to Texas State – I thought it would be really cool to start football together and finish football together. But that talk with my dad let me see some negatives; I would be going into a new system with new coaches and teammates for just one year. That’s a whole lot to learn and trust to be earned in a short time. The setup at UTEP was so good for me, when I used my head instead of my heart, it was just too much to leave behind. The different ways I was used here – I wouldn’t have got those opportunities. And it was a great decision – the last twelve months, I definitely showcased what I can do with the ball in my hands.”
A Different Kind Of Fullback
Numbers for fullbacks are often diminished when looked through a running back’s lens. But nevertheless, James Tupou’s pass catching ability is evident. Most fullbacks leave college without a reception to their name – Tupou had twelve in his final year alone, including two touchdown catches. And he leaves college with a rather unique resume as a result:
“Physicality is a big trademark for me. It’s more of a pride thing. It’s either me or the guy in front of me, and there’s no way I’m getting put on my back! But I really loved the way Coach Dimel used me in my role as a fullback. It was diverse and creative; obviously the primary role was run blocking or lead blocking, but I got some carries here and there, action on the goal line, and as my game developed he had me out on routes catching passes too. I’m slightly undersized for an NFL fullback, but as a weapon out of the backfield I’ve got a skillset that not many guys at the position offer. Considering how the likes of Kyle Juszczyk are used at the next level, I think my abilities will translate well.”
I ask James what he was most proud of when he looks back at his college career. Considering he was studying for a Masters in Leadership Studies, the answer seemed inevitable:
“One of my biggest goals when I first set foot on campus, was to earn the respect of my teammates and become a real leader in the group. I was really proud when the offense voted me as a team leader – it showed that all those hours in the Summer workouts pushing my guys was appreciated. I challenged myself to be more vocal, and I knew that my commitment on the field was unquestioned. I feel like that combination really helped me in honing my leadership abilities. It’s now a big trademark of my game.”
From The Gridiron To The Ring?
James Tupou leaves El Paso having played in 33 games over five seasons. He’s had a unique career and is a unique draft prospect as a result, but that hasn’t stopped him from maximising his game as he trains for not one pro day but two – hoping to showcase his abilities at both UTEP and North Texas. For Tupou, he has very defined goals in mind:
“Being undersized will put me behind the 8-ball in the eyes of some, I know that. But big, beefy, traditional cornbread-fed fullbacks can’t do what I can. I’m athletic – and despite being able to move, I can still do that physical role too. I’m looking forward to running my forty, benching well, jumping maybe a 31,32” – if I test like I know I can, I’ll raise some eyebrows. I’m going to run under 4.8, and bench at least thirty. My training has basically been taking what Coach Schadt did at UTEP and turning it up a notch, fine-tuning things to get those numbers as good as they can be.”
A common exercise in the pre-draft process is attending all-star games or showcase events, where prospects get to meet NFL scouts and teams and make connections. Intriguingly, the Tupou brothers have been attracting attention from outside the football world:
“Me and my brother were invited to the College Gridiron Showcase. It was a really cool experience. I got to speak to the Dallas Cowboys a little bit; they were just getting some background info on me, making sure I had no character concerns. Which of course I don’t! But the craziest thing about the CGS was that WWE scouts were there too. They talked to me and Sione, told us they’re really interested in having brothers join their stable. It was so surreal! It was something I grew up watching, but was never an ambition. But I’m not gonna lie, when they were writing down the pay, it sounded pretty good! If it came down to it, I could be an entertainer. But my passion is football; I’d rather entertain on the gridiron than in the ring.”
Just The Start
Wrestling can wait, maybe forever. For now, the full focus is on the NFL. Considering how supportive parents Taufa and Maxine have been through their football journey, it’s pleasing to know that James has them in the forefront of his mind when he thinks of what might be ahead for him and his brother:
“Sione and I always talk about it, both being in the league and making our parents so happy. If we could somehow be on the same team in training camp, and look over at our parents watching from behind the tape, how proud they would be – it would be a heartfelt moment. We talked about this dream since we were like five and six years old. But i’ll tell you this – I have no problem going up against him if we’re on different teams! We’ve practiced against each other and both had our wins, coming out on top.”
Ironically, Mr and Mrs Tupou will likely miss the moment their two sons embark upon their professional football careers. But they can pack their clubs safe in the knowledge that James heads to the NFL with his eyes wide open:
“My parents have booked a golfing trip for draft weekend! They had no idea of the dates. Maybe it was a lack of faith! But it will be me, Sione, my other siblings and my dog I guess, kicking back and relaxing – as much as possible. Because once I learn where I’m going, it’s straight back to work. Getting that call will be a special moment, but it’s just the start. There’s a lot of guys out there with the same dream as me, and in training camp they’ll be looking for any little reason or difference to get you cut. So I’m not going to give them one.”
Fullbacks drive trucks. James Tupou’s is all gas, no brakes.
A huge thank you to James for taking the time to talk to us. Everyone at The Touchown wishes him well in his future career.