Former Arizona DT Tiaoalii Savea transfers to Texas

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd January, 17:16 2024

Sep 3, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs quarterback Braxton Burmeister (5) is tackled by Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Tiaoalii Savea (98) during the second half at Snapdragon Stadium. credits: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Former Arizona defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea transferred to Texas on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound junior played in 12 games for the Wildcats last season, totaling 22 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2022, he played in seven games and made 14 tackles, 1.5 TFL, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.

He had transferred to Arizona from UCLA, where in 2021 he appeared in 10 games and made seven tackles.

Savea is reunited with former Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, who became the Longhorns' linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator earlier this month.

Texas has lost standout defensive tackles Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat, who both declared for the NFL Draft.

The Longhorns have added Savea, wide receivers Matthew Golden (from Houston), Isaiah Bond (Alabama) and Silas Bolden (Oregon State), defensive end Trey Moore (UTSA), safety Andrew Mukuba (Clemson), tight end Amari Niblack (Alabama) and linebacker Kendrick Blackshire (Alabama) from the transfer portal.

—Field Level Media