Texas Lands Commitment From Arizona Transfer Defensive Tackle Tiaoalii Savea
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The Texas Longhorns have been crushing the NCAA Transfer Portal market since the end of the regular season, landing elite talent across the board at various positions of need.
That continued to be the case on Tuesday morning, with former Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea committing and signing with the program.
Savea now becomes the eight transfer portal addition for the Longhorns thus far joining edge Trey Moore (UTSA), safety Andrew Mukuba (Clemson), and linebacker Kendrick Blackshire (Alabama) on defense, as well as offensive transfer receivers Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Silas Bolden (Oregon State), Matthew Golden (Houston), and tight end Amari Niblack (Alabama).
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At 6-foot-4 and weighing 305 pounds, Savea comes in at a massive position of need for the Longhorns, with their two star tackles T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II both departing for the NFL, where they could each become a first-round pick.
And given the lack of proven depth at the position as a result of those two departures, Savea will have an immediate opportunity to play for the Longhorns from the jump alongside Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton.
Savea began his college career at UCLA, where he played in 10 games, finishing with seven tackles in 2021. He then transferred to Arizona, where he played in seven games in 2022, making 14 stops with 1.5 tackles for loss and a blocked field goal.
In 2023 Savea added 22 tackles with 6.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks for the Wildcats.
And upon the departure of Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch for Washington, as well as his defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, Savea elected to enter the portal, joining Nansen in Austin.
Savea will have one year of eligibility remaining.
