I did some digging on potential defensive tackles in the portal and found one that DL coach Christian Smith has contacted: Phillip Paea of Utah State.
Paea is a big boy at 6-4, 305. He originally spent four years at Michigan, first as an OL, and then a DL, but played in just a handful of games. He got his degree from Michigan, though, and was Academic All-Big Ten in 2019.
He transferred to Utah State and played in all 14 games in 2021, totaling 14 tackles and 2.0 TFL. He started the first three games last season for the Aggies but then suffered a season-ending torn ACL. He claims to have two years of eligibility remaining, but I'm not sure how that's possible. This would be his seventh year of college football.
I reached out to Paea, who said that he talked to Smith "a little bit" and that he's very interested in Northwestern. He wants to play closer to home (Berrien Springs, Mich.). I asked about a potential visit to NU and he said, "Hopefully, I want to."
utahstateaggies.com
Paea is a big boy at 6-4, 305. He originally spent four years at Michigan, first as an OL, and then a DL, but played in just a handful of games. He got his degree from Michigan, though, and was Academic All-Big Ten in 2019.
He transferred to Utah State and played in all 14 games in 2021, totaling 14 tackles and 2.0 TFL. He started the first three games last season for the Aggies but then suffered a season-ending torn ACL. He claims to have two years of eligibility remaining, but I'm not sure how that's possible. This would be his seventh year of college football.
I reached out to Paea, who said that he talked to Smith "a little bit" and that he's very interested in Northwestern. He wants to play closer to home (Berrien Springs, Mich.). I asked about a potential visit to NU and he said, "Hopefully, I want to."
Phillip Paea - Football - Utah State University Athletics
Phillip Paea (90) DT - HONORS Academic All-Big Ten (2019). 2022 (SENIOR SEASON) Started the first three games of the season before missing the rest of the
utahstateaggies.com
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