Montana linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu will return for the 2026 season after the NCAA granted him a ninth year of eligibility. The Grizzlies announced the decision on social media Monday, also revealing that sixth-year offensive lineman Dylan Jemtegaard would be back.

Tuliaupupu began his college career at USC in 2018 but faced significant injury setbacks, including foot surgery in 2018 and knee surgery in 2020 that cost him his entire undergraduate season. His first season at Montana in 2025 marked only his second full season played and third with game action.

After appearing in all 14 games for the Trojans as a redshirt senior in 2022, recording 10 tackles including three for a loss, Tuliaupupu missed the 2023 season due to injury. He played seven games for USC in 2024 before illness cut his season short. The linebacker will now play under new Montana coach Bobby Kennedy, who is replacing Bobby Hauck after Hauck was named defensive coordinator at Illinois.