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2022 NFL Draft: Edge Rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui Could Ascend Quickly

By Jacob Schyvinck

Oct 16, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui (58) participates in pregame warmups against the UCLA Bruins at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui (58) participates in pregame warmups against the UCLA Bruins at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Huskies edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui could be a quick riser for the 2022 NFL Draft in his return.

Late in the 2020 season, when the Pac 12 began play, draft analysts, scouts, and fans alike got to see a player make some noise in Washington Huskies defender Zion Tupuola-Fetui. The Huskies standout made his presence known immediately, and in just four games, tallied seven tackles for loss and seven sacks, not to mention three forced fumbles.

Ultimately, the redshirt sophomore (at the time) decided to return for the 2021 season, and that’s when a devastating injury struck. Tupuola-Fetui tore his achilles in April, with a timeline of recovery between six to 10 months. Here we are, six months later, and Tupuola-Fetui returned last weekend to play UCLA. He registered four pressures in that game, and made things uncomfortable for Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

There are six more games left in the season for the Huskies (unless they reach a bowl game), and it gives Tupuola-Fetui a chance to be a major riser ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. Last season, he won by converting speed to power and walking tackles back to the quarterback. His hand placement was very good and very accurate. He looked unstoppable last season, and this offseason, Tupuola-Fetui dropped about 20 pounds to get down in the 260s, where he can become a full time player on the edge for the next level. He’s moved a bit from a hands-in-the-dirt rusher to a standup rusher last weekend, which is a great sign.

He played a little out of control at times Saturday night, but Zion Tupuola-Fetui showed even quicker get off now that he’s down some weight, and looked more dynamic changing direction when working his counters. He’s still got the speed to power move and is going to be a nightmare for the Pac 12 going forward. It won’t be shocking to see him move up the 2022 NFL Draft rankings quickly once he gets more comfortable returning from injury.

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