South Carolina DL Drew Tuazama enters NCAA transfer portal

South Carolina defensive lineman Drew Tuazama has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Tuazama enters the portal once agin, this time as a graduate transfer seeking the sixth program to call home in his college career. Making stops at Jireh Prep Academy, Syracuse, East Mississippi Community College, and UAB prior to his latest with the Gamecocks.

Tuazama played high school football at Knightdale High School in North Carolina before being rated a three-star prospect. Ranked the No. 4 overall recruit and the No. 1 EDGE in the prep ranks out of Jireh in 2019, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

At Jireh Prep Academy in 2018 Tuazama recorded 72 tackles and 12 sacks, earning the team’s ‘Perseverance’ Award before signing to Syracuse. Spending two seasons under head coach Dino Babers where he was redshirted in 2019. Making one game appearance with two tackles in before logging seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and a blocked punt in the following season in six games.

Ahead of the 2021 season Tuazama dropped down to the junior college level again, playing at East Mississippi Community College where he’d round up 32 tackles, six tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Transferring yet again this time to UAB, where he’d have the strongest Division I season of his college career.

For the Blazers Tuazama earned All-Conference USA honors as a part of a defense that led the league in scoring defense, passing defense and defensive efficiency. Recording 33 tackles, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and a team-leading five sacks in 2022.

Last season for the Gamecocks, Tuazama appeared in five games and made the first FBS start of his career against Georgia. Recording his only tackle of the season in Week 3 between the hedges in a 24-14 loss to the Bulldogs.

There’s no doubt that Tuazama has been a journeyman throughout his college football career as he now seeks out a final destination. With the 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive lineman playing on the edge and interior of the defensive line throughout his career and joining a transfer portal market where defensive tackles are in high demand.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.