UAB preseason All-AAC defensive lineman Drew Tuazuma enters transfer portal

One of the top players from an AAC program is now a free agent.

UAB defensive lineman Drew Tuazama has entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, On3 has learned.

Tuazama, a former Syracuse transfer, was a preseason All-AAC selection after posting 33 tackles and a team-high five sacks for UAB last season.

Tuazama was a key component of a Blazers defense that ranked first in Conference USA last year in scoring defense, pass defense and defensive efficiency. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Tuazama closed last season with three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in a 37-27 win over Louisiana Tech and then four tackles and a half-sack in UAB’s 24-20 victory over Miami (Ohio) in the Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl.

The North Carolina native joined the Blazers after spending 2021 at East Mississippi Community College and tallying 32 tackles. That came after two years at Syracuse and one at Jireh Prep Academy in North Carolina. He recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a blocked punt at Syracuse in 2020.

UAB is entering its first season with Trent Dilfer as its head coach. The Blazers were picked to finish eighth in the AAC in the conference preseason poll.

UAB finished last year 7-6 under interim head coach Bryant Vincent. The Blazers were 43-20 the previous five seasons under head coach Bill Clark.

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