He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors in 2005.

One of six siblings, he is a younger cousin of Vai Sikahema, who became the first Tongan to play in the National Football League when he joined the Arizona Cardinals as a kick returner in 1986.

[2] When he was six years old, Lutui survived a car accident that killed one of his sisters and left his father permanently disabled.

[4] After high school Lutui signed with the University of Southern California to play for the USC Trojans football team.

Lutui was selected in the second round (41st overall) of the 2006 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, where he is reunited with former USC teammate Matt Leinart.

In 2008, he started 16 games while the Cardinals won the NFC West with a 9–7 record and was part of an offensive line that allowed Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner to break single season records in completions and touchdown passes.

During the Super Bowl, the Pittsburgh Steelers's offensive line featured Chris Kemoeatu, the other Tongan in the NFL.