Ja’Kobi Lane Accuses Recruit Brawley Tuitupou of Theft During USC Visit

On February 23, 2026, Ja’Kobi Lane, a wide receiver for the USC Trojans, publicly accused three-star recruit Brawley Tuitupou of stealing personal items from his locker during a recruiting visit. Lane's accusations were made via a tweet that quickly gained traction, amassing over 1.5 million views. He claimed that Tuitupou took multiple items, including three pairs of cleats, eight pairs of game-worn gloves, four towels, a pair of shorts, and a Trojans hoodie.

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Brawley Tuitupou, a junior at Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah, is a versatile athlete with offers from numerous colleges, including Florida, Michigan State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Penn State, and South Carolina. However, USC is not among the schools that have extended an offer. Tuitupou's recruitment may now be jeopardized due to Lane's allegations, as potential schools could reconsider their interest based on the accusations.

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Lane's tweet included a screenshot of Tuitupou's Instagram account, which featured images of USC gear, suggesting a connection to the alleged theft. The incident has sparked discussions on social media about the trust colleges place in recruits during visits and the expectations regarding respect for players' personal belongings. Former USC players, including analyst Landon Tengwall, commented on the severity of the situation, labeling it as an "absolute heist."

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As of now, Tuitupou has not publicly responded to Lane's accusations. His Instagram posts related to USC have since been deleted, indicating a possible attempt to distance himself from the incident. Lane, meanwhile, is projected to be selected in the second or third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with some mock drafts suggesting he could be picked by the Denver Broncos.

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Critics of Tuitupou's actions argue that stealing from a locker room is a serious breach of trust, particularly during recruitment, where players are given access to facilities and personal items. The incident has raised concerns about the integrity of recruits and the potential consequences for Tuitupou's future in college football.

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The fallout from this incident could significantly impact Tuitupou's recruitment, as schools may hesitate to offer him scholarships amidst the allegations. For Lane, the focus will shift to his performance at the NFL Combine, where he hopes to solidify his draft position. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities and expectations placed on recruits during their visits to college programs.

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• “This kid stole my cleats and a bunch of stuff from the sc locker room. All yall kids out there just know this is simply unacceptable,” — Ja’Kobi Lane, USC Trojans Wide Receiver

Newsweek

• “We use to hide our gear in the locker room when we knew recruits would be coming in. Some recruits try to snag some gloves but that is an absolute heist. Really bad look here,” — Landon Tengwall, Former USC Player

Sports Illustrated