When Sal Lupoli Jr. takes the field with the Tennessee Titans at NFL rookie minicamp next week, one local coach will be cheering him on every step of the way.
Returning Lowell High School coach Scott Boyle has firsthand knowledge of what Lupoli is capable of after serving as a defensive coordinator with Bentley University last season.
He feels the Titans coaching staff is in for an eye-opening experience during the May 9-11 camp.
“This is unbelievable,” said Boyle. “It’s something Sal’s talked about and thought about for a long time. There’s not a more deserving guy. He’s not only a great leader and tremendous football player, but an outstanding individual. I only wish I had more time coaching him.”
One of the most decorated players in Bentley football history, Lupoli was named the Northeast-10 Most Valuable Player in 2023. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound linebacker earned All-American honors from the D2 Conference Commissioners Association, American Football Coaches Association, and the Don Hansen Football Committee. By the end of Bentley’s 2023 campaign, Lupoli led all NCAA D-II players in tackles per game (12.3). His 337 career tackles are also a school record.
Even before taking the coaching job at Bentley, Boyle admired Lupoli’s work ethic from afar, watching the Chelmsford product carve out his highly physical niche on the gridiron from high school to the collegiate ranks.
“When I had a chance to finally coach him, the press he got didn’t do justice to who he really is,” said Boyle. “He’s an unbelievable leader and captain. For me, it was a reward to get there and coach a guy like that.”
During the fifth week of the season at Saint Anselm, Lupoli notched a career-high 23 tackles (13 solo). It was the most tackles by a Falcon in a game in more than 30 years. Lupoli’s 13 tackles for a loss paced the NE10 this year, and his six sacks were just a half shy of tying the conference lead.
A four-year letterman in football and lacrosse, Lupoli excelled at Chelmsford High. The two-year Lions captain and team MVP set a school record for career tackles with just over 200, before graduating in 2018. He continued his hard-hitting ways as a post-graduate at Phillips Academy. He compiled a mind-boggling 115 tackles in just seven games, earning team MVP honors, as well as being named the school’s best male athlete.
“He’s a warrior,” said Boyle. “He did things this year that some kids might not attempt. He’s a great competitor and teammate, well respected by everybody. When he steps out on that field he’s got that presence about him.”
