Honolulu - - Like most star football players at Mater Dei HS, Solomon Tuliaupupu is expected to eventually commit to USC. But when it comes to the 6-foot-3 and 215-pound linebacker, don’t dismiss the unexpected.

When asked if all the talk about him going to USC is just rumors, Tuliaupupu responded with an emphatic “yeah.”

That’s because, according to him, he’s struggling with the idea of leaving Southern California all together.

“I don’t know if I want to leave or want to stay,” Tuliaupupu said. “It’s just indecision.”

When asked why he’s struggling with that choice, Tuliaupupu pointed to one specific factor.

“My family and that’s the same, my family,” Tuliaupupu said. “Because I might just want to grow alone for a little bit and maybe I won’t, maybe I’ll stay with my family and grow with them.”

He’s clearly considering two schools in Los Angeles but he’s also considering a few schools completely outside of California. Tuliaupupu has already taken official visits to Hawaii, Notre Dame and UCLA. He has two trips planned for the near future as well.

“Oklahoma and USC,” Tuliaupupu said when asked if he has official visits planned.

Tuliaupupu says he doesn’t have dates scheduled for either visit but with signing day rapidly approaching, it won’t be long until he steps on those two campuses. He also says he doesn’t have an official list of top schools.

“It’s definitely narrowed down but not to a top 5,” Tuliaupupu said.

He’ll eventually get to a list of just one but only after he sees exactly what every school is all about.

“I’m just looking at the schools and looking at mostly what they have to offer besides football because they’re all great football schools,” Tuliaupupu said.

It’s up to Johnny Nansen and the USC coaching staff to convince him that the Trojans have the most to offer. When asked about the pitch he hears from the staff, Tuliaupupu lays out a basic overview of what’s said.

“Mostly just that they want me to go to USC,” Tuliaupupu said.

He heard the same pitch from Tee Martin on the Friday before his trip to the Polynesian Bowl.

“I talked to the offensive coordinator, Coach Tee (Martin),” Tuliaupupu said.

He also hears that same pitch from JT Daniels, Palaie Gaoteote, Talanoa Hufanga and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“Mostly the same as everyone else,” Tuliaupupu said when asked how those prospects are recruiting him. “Just that they want me to go to USC and fight on, they always say fight on.”