Tiaoalii Savea, DL - (Desert Pines) Las Vegas, NV by way of the University of Arizona
Height: 6’4
Weight: 293 lbs
Rivals Rank out of HS: 5.8 (4-star) - 18th ranked Strong Side Defensive End
Rivals Rank in Portal: 5.6 (3-star) - 509th overall player in Transfer Portal
Report: Tiaoalii Savea played on 353 defensive snaps in 2023 as a member of the Arizona Wildcats defense. That number was good for third on the Wildcats' defense and translated to the Longhorns in 2023, would have finished third behind T'Vondre Sweats 415 snaps and Byron Murphy's 370. The Longhorns' run defense finished sixth in College Football in Run Defense Grade, according to PFF, while Arizona finished 44th.
I caught up with Savea this week and asked him what part of his game he believes translates best to this Texas defensive line. His response was, "The game I bring is the run-stop. I love stopping the run. It’s my specialty. Hopefully this season, I can show that I am capable of being a third- and fourth-down player too."
Texas has already begun its journey of trying to replace T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy on the field, however, next week’s first spring practice will be the first time this specific group will be on the field together. Will it be Savea, Sydir Mitchell, Aaron Bryant, or another lineman to take a big step forward?
Projected Defensive Tackle Depth Prediction:
I also asked Tiaoalii Savea what his top goal was for spring practice next week. His response was, "DOMINATE"
Height: 6’4
Weight: 293 lbs
Rivals Rank out of HS: 5.8 (4-star) - 18th ranked Strong Side Defensive End
Rivals Rank in Portal: 5.6 (3-star) - 509th overall player in Transfer Portal
Report: Tiaoalii Savea played on 353 defensive snaps in 2023 as a member of the Arizona Wildcats defense. That number was good for third on the Wildcats' defense and translated to the Longhorns in 2023, would have finished third behind T'Vondre Sweats 415 snaps and Byron Murphy's 370. The Longhorns' run defense finished sixth in College Football in Run Defense Grade, according to PFF, while Arizona finished 44th.
I caught up with Savea this week and asked him what part of his game he believes translates best to this Texas defensive line. His response was, "The game I bring is the run-stop. I love stopping the run. It’s my specialty. Hopefully this season, I can show that I am capable of being a third- and fourth-down player too."
Texas has already begun its journey of trying to replace T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy on the field, however, next week’s first spring practice will be the first time this specific group will be on the field together. Will it be Savea, Sydir Mitchell, Aaron Bryant, or another lineman to take a big step forward?
Projected Defensive Tackle Depth Prediction:
- Vernon Broughton
- Tiaoalii Savea
- Jaray Bledsoe
- Zac Swanson
- Alfred Collins
- Sydir Mitchell
- Austin Bryant
- Alex January
I also asked Tiaoalii Savea what his top goal was for spring practice next week. His response was, "DOMINATE"