South Carolina still looking for perfect position fit for Drew Tuazama
One of the biggest drawbacks for Drew Tuazama coming in midstream to South Carolina’s training camp was he didn’t get spring, summer or the first two weeks of August to figure out his best fit defensively.
Tuazama–who South Carolina added to the roster halfway through camp–couldn’t settle into one specific spot and soak up the defense.
But, as the season enters its second quarter, things are starting to zero in for Tuazama.
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“Right now I’m playing a little bit of three-tech…I’m better rushing out of a three than off the edge with my game right now,” Tuazama said. “I’m getting adjusted to the three-tech, the techniques and coach T-Rob. Getting adjusted to that.”
Listed at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Tuazama has the ability to play and set the edge while also coming in and serving as a pass-rushing defensive tackle.
Tuazama has a 60.4 overall PFF grade and a 75.2 tackling grade in a limited sample size of just 48 snaps. PFF credits him with 43 snaps lined up at end, four over the tackle and one in the B gap this season.
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Tuazama generated one pressure in 22 pass rush snaps which resulted in a quarterback hurry.
He’s starting to chisel out a role for South Carolina and it could lead to more snaps as he gets more comfortable in the system.
“He’s definitely an up-front guy. The best thing he gives us right now, obviously we love his size and his makeup. We’re trying to find a home to see if it’s helping us on the inside rushing or if it’s on the outside rushing on passing downs. He’s such a big body that he can get in there and block a field goal,” Clayton White said.
“In short-yardage situations, goal line situations we can definitely use a guy of his caliber. We’re trying to plug and play him. It’s hard when you come here in the middle of training camp and try to get the entire system. It makes it kind of tough.”
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Last season at UAB Tuazama played 225 of his 31 snaps on the outside. But he did have 74 snaps over the tackle and 32 in the B gap.
He did play some tackle during his time at Syracuse and again when he went to a junior college before enrolling at UAB.
“I pride myself on being versatile. I feel like I’m a very versatile defensive lineman,” he said. “Anywhere on the defensive line, I can play. Just learning the scheme and techniques and executing them, I feel like I’m great at.”
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It’s still a learning curve for Tuazama, who’s only been on campus for roughly a month. But he’s happy to be in Columbia and in the Gamecocks program.
“I feel like this is the place for me because it felt like home coming here,” Tuazama said. “The fan base was excited. The coaches were excited. I would rather be somewhere where they want me to be there.”
