Texas adds veteran Pac-12 defensive lineman via transfer portal

Mike Christy / Arizona Athletics

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Texas added a new face in its quest to replace all-conference defensive tackles T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy, signing Arizona transfer Tiaoalii Savea on Tuesday.

Savea, a four-star from Las Vegas, Nevada, in the class of 2021, spent one season at UCLA before developing into an integral piece along Arizona's front seven. He appeared in 12 games in 2023, finishing with 22 tackles, six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The junior opted to enter the transfer portal within the NCAA's 30-day window after Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch took the Washington job.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pounder brings an intriguing size to Texas's interior line. Savea will pair with seniors Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton as the veterans attempting to fill the massive void left by Sweat and Murphy's departure. Savea is the eighth transfer the Longhorns have added in the 2024 cycle.

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