Veteran edge defender who joined LSU in late August 2026 after four seasons at Notre Dame and a ruling that restored a fifth year of eligibility ... Played in 54 career games with production as both a pass rusher and run defender ... Adds experience and depth to the Tigers’ defensive end room after arriving just before the season opener … He finished his Irish career with 61 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups ... Named to the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List ... After his Notre Dame career, Tuihalamaka received a temporary restraining order granting him a fifth year of eligibility as part of a group of 2022 high school signees and transferred to LSU for the 2026 season ... Moved from linebacker to full-time edge role after his freshman year ... Graduated with his undergraduate degree in three years and was in a master’s program at Notre Dame before transferring ... Son of Niuafe Tuihalamaka.
SENIOR SEASON (2025 at Notre Dame)
Played all 12 games with three starts ... Recorded 12 tackles with 9 solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and 1 pass breakup ... Notched his sack against Navy and a season-high four tackles plus a TFL against Syracuse ... Closed his Notre Dame career having played in every available game over four seasons.
JUNIOR SEASON (2024 at Notre Dame)
Played all 16 games, including three starts vs. Stanford, Navy, and Army on Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff team that reached the national championship game. Posted 33 tackles (17 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, 2 fumble recoveries, and multiple quarterback hurries ... had his career high in tackles against Navy with 7 ... Recorded at least one tackle in 12 games…Highlights included his first career interception against Miami (Ohio) and a strong performance in the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia: 5 tackles, a sack, 2.5 TFLs, and a fumble recovery that set up a touchdown late in the second quarter ... Named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2023 at Notre Dame)
Played all 13 games. Recorded 10 tackles (7 solo) ... Contributed consistently to a rotational role and on special teams.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2022 at Notre Dame)
Played all 13 games with one start vs Navy ... Recorded 6 tackles while contributing on special teams ... Saw time both as an inside linebacker and in Notre Dame’s hybrid defensive lineman/outside linebacker role later in the season.
HIGH SCHOOL
Consensus Four-star recruit out of Bishop Alemany HS in Mission Hills, Calif ... Ranked as high as No. 98 nationally and a top-15 linebacker/inside linebacker by major services ... 2021 All-League Defensive MVP ... Senior season: 84 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles. Recorded 65+ tackles in each of his first two full varsity seasons ... Started as a freshman ... Invited to the All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl ... Played for head coach Casey Clausen.
Junior Tuihalamaka’s Career Highs
Tackles: 7 vs. Navy, 2024
Tackles for loss: 2.5 vs. Georgia, 2024 CFP Semifinal
Sacks: 1.0 vs. Georgia, 2024 CFP Semifinal
Interceptions: 1 vs. Miami (Ohio), 2024
Quarterback Hurries: 2 at Texas A&M, 2025