{"id":778059,"date":"2026-02-26T18:07:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T18:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/778059\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T18:07:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T18:07:43","slug":"brawley-tuitupou-refutes-jakobi-lanes-usc-locker-room-theft-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/778059\/","title":{"rendered":"Brawley Tuitupou refutes Ja’Kobi Lane’s USC locker room theft claims"},"content":{"rendered":"

A top high school football recruit in Utah is adamant he did not steal from USC\u2019s locker room during a recent visit to the school.<\/p>\n

Two days after Ja\u2019Kobi Lane accused Brawley Tuitupou of nabbing \u201cmy cleats and a bunch of stuff\u201d while on a trip to the Southern California university, the teenager issued a statement flatly denying the Trojan receiver\u2019s allegations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to address the situation that\u2019s been discussed online and be clear about the facts,\u201d Tuitupou, a 6-foot-4 athlete, wrote on his social media pages late Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not steal any gear, nor would I ever knowingly possess stolen property. The items in question were purchased by me in good faith, and I have documentation showing that I paid for them under the context that they had been obtained legitimately. At the time of purchase, I had no reason to believe they were connected to any issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ja'KobiUSC receiver Ja\u2019Kobi Lane, a projected top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, accused a high school football recruit of stealing items from the Trojans\u2019 locker room recently. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lane made his allegations against Tuitupou on Sunday night, calling the high schooler a thief in an X post that\u2019s now been viewed six million times.<\/p>\n

Lane shared two screen grabs in his post \u2014 one of Tuitupou\u2019s Instagram page and another of several USC football-branded items \u2014 and he wrote, \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tuitupou said in his statement that after Lane fired off the note, he \u201cbegan working to resolve the issue and return the items back to their rightful owners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BrawleyBrawley Tuitupou, a three-star recruit from Utah, denied Ja\u2019Kobi Lane\u2019s theft allegations on Tuesday night. Instagram\/brawleytui<\/p>\n

\u201cI take my character and reputation seriously,\u201d he said, \u201cand anyone who knows me understands that I try my best to let integrity, faith, and respect guide my actions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tuitopou went on to say he respects Lane and \u201cwould never intentionally do anything to disrespect him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m thankful the facts are coming to light, and I\u2019m focused on moving forward to better myself both on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lane \u2014 who starred for the Trojans from 2023 to 2025 \u2014 declared for the NFL draft this offseason and is projected to be a first- or second-round pick.<\/p>\n

Tuitupou, meanwhile, is a three-star prospect from from Orem who holds offers from multiple schools, including Florida, Penn State and South Carolina.<\/p>\n

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