Name: Drew Tuazama
Position: Defensive End
Year: (Redshirt) Freshman
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 245 lbs
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Jireh Prep
2020 stats: Tuazama was one of the many underclassmen pushed into playing time due to injuries, appearing in 6 games. He finished the year with a blocked punt, two tackles for loss, and seven total tackles.
2021 projections: With the defensive line shored up by veterans, Tuazama is most likely to see the field on special teams. Clearly, the staff like his raw ability enough to give him chances to play in both 2019 and 2020, but he’ll need to cut down on penalties before he can be considered for more meaningful snaps.
How’d he get here?: Tuazama had a solid offer list that included Florida State, Maryland, Rutgers, Tennessee, Purdue. Miami, and Ole Miss.
What’d recruiting sites say?: 3 stars all around.
Money quote: In 2019, he was ejected from a game vs Holy Cross for targeting, and Dino Babers certainly didn’t agree with it (or the similar call vs. Tyrell Richards in that game):
“I’ve seen hits like that on Thanksgiving Day in the backyard on brothers versus brothers, and nobody had to go tell mom and dad that they got hit that hard.”
Twitter feed: @hoop_state15
Tweets of wonder: Drew was pretty proud of the tackle that got him ejected in 2019.
This don’t count but pic.twitter.com/FYQjAeNRxV
— Drew Tuazama™ (@hoop_state15) October 1, 2019
What movie would Dino recommend for him?: He doesn’t always play by the rules, so I’m going to pick Bad Boys.
Interesting nugget o’interest: Watch the video below to see Tuazama’s basketball skills and you’ll see why he was considered to be a rising prospect with an ACC Basketball ceiling.
Let’s get a look at ya: Here’s a look at his signing day video.