Former South Carolina DL Drew Tuazama to transfer to UCLA

Transfer defensive lineman Drew Tuazama is set to commit to UCLA out of the portal, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed. Tuazama most recently played for South Carolina.

After beginning his college career at Syracuse for two seasons then spending a year at a junior college, Tuazama was an all-conference performer for UAB in 2022. He joined the Gamecocks program shortly before the 2023 season, spending less than a full calendar year with the South Carolina program.

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.

Shane Beamer addressed Tuazama’s decision to leave, saying he could see the move coming during spring practice. South Carolina put him at multiple positions and still felt the need to add multiple quality players at EDGE and defensive tackle. Tuazama was going to be grouped with a lot of good players, potentially cutting down on his playing time in 2024.

“Those are some things that, I thought, during spring practice were trending in that direction,” Beamer said. “Again, a situation where, good player that we were excited about. Still are excited about. Just wanted the opportunity to play a little bit more. He’s at a position where he’s worked at the EDGE position and the tackle position since he’s been in Columbia.

“And that’s a position where we brought in a lot of really good players either from high school recruiting or the transfer portal since January. He’s in the mix with a lot of other guys at that position.”

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.

On3’s Kaiden Smith and Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report