Cal Linebacker AJ Tuitele on Fitting In, Playing Fast and Learning From the Little Things

The USC transfer found a natural home in Berkeley, with family nearby and a defense built for his game.

AJ Tuitele’s decision to come to Cal had personal roots before it had anything to do with football.

“I got a lot of family out here in the Bay. And then just the defense that Coach Tosh and Coach Hutchings bring to the table, it’s a good fit for me and who I am.”

On head coach Tosh Lupoi’s presence on the field, Tuitele appreciated the energy he sets.

“Very active. He matches energy, he’s not scared to get too hyped, and the players just match his energy. It’s a big deal for us.”

Asked to describe his own game, Tuitele kept it punchy.

“Fast, physical. I play sideline to sideline, I love the tackle, I love to hit, very aggressive. I’m good in pass coverage too, and it’s a new game nowadays, more passing, you need more coverage linebackers. That’s what I bring to the table.”

His time at USC taught him lessons that go beyond scheme.

“The biggest thing was just confidence. You got to come in not scared of going against the best player on the team. And I also learned how to read the playbook, different ways to learn it and make it easier on yourself and on your teammates.”

The inside linebacker role carries the same responsibilities it did at USC, and Tuitele laid out exactly what that means.

“Playing the mike, the M, we call it the vocal leader of the defense. Call out the plays, first one to get the plays, first one to give out the plays. Just the quarterback of the defense.”

Working under linebackers coach Bob Gregory has been a positive experience.

“Coach Gregory is a good, informative, great coach. He gets on me for the little stuff and I love that. It’s not just on the field but off the field they take care of us. It’s just a great coaching staff to have.”

The linebacker room itself has become a melting pot, and Tuitele is embracing it.

“It’s amazing just knowing their different cultures, where they came from. From down south, from the West Coast, East Coast. I just love it. From Alaska, different culture, I get to learn it. Like eating deer. Never heard of that, but hey, I’m gonna try it.”