New UAB linebacker eddy toussom growing into a role on blazer defense

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - April 4, 2024

In one defensive package, UAB newcomer Eddy Toussom is an inside linebacker. In another defensive package, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound junior college transfer is lined up on the edge. He can drop into coverage, help plug up the middle or beat an offensive tackle with his size and strength on the outside. 

In high school, the Waller (Texas) High graduate played safety.

Have you got the idea yet that versatility is a big part of Toussom’s game?

Ryan Taylor inherited Toussom when he took over as the Navarro (Texas) College head coach in the spring of 2022. His first season coaching Toussom was underwhelming.

 “My first year, he was a special teams guy, literally just special teams,” Taylor said. “He couldn’t really find a spot. He sat behind some good players, I will say that. This past spring, like a light bulb went off.”

Before the light bulb, though, times were tough for Toussom. Junior college wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan. But Toussom, who was a 6-foot-3, 195-pound safety at the time, was lightly recruited. A few Division I programs showed interest but he received nothing from FBS or FCS schools.

“I was kind of nervous because that’s when Last Chance U was out,” said Toussom, who was born in Cameroon and moved with his family to the United States at the age of four. “I was watching that and thinking, ‘Dang, juco is kind of hard’. I wanted to go D1 but I had to do what I had to do.”

It got harder. He was a redshirt during his first season and, as Taylor said, he was primarily a special team player in 2022. Quitting entered his mind more than once. Going to work on getting better, though, was a better option.

By the time 2022 spring practice began, Toussom had grown to 6-foot-5 and about 230 pounds. The weight gain, Toussom said, came from a healthy dose of PB&J sandwiches, protein shakes and weightroom work.

Now, back to the light bulb.

“In the spring he kept making play after play,” Taylor said. “I remember being in staff meetings and telling the coaches, ‘Yeah, I think he finally got the light bulb going off. I think it’s shining bright right now.’ Spring ball really was when we knew he was going to be a factor for us.”

It was also when UAB coaches discovered Toussom. UAB defensive coordinator Sione Ta’ufo’ou got to know Toussom and the Blazers were the first program to offer a scholarship. The offer came before Toussom began his final junior college season, which ultimately played a big role in his decision to come to Birmingham.

Toussom finished the season with 55 tackles,15 tackles for loss, eight sacks and six pass breakups. He also had a memorable game in a regular season loss to nearby archrival Trinity Valley College. On that afternoon, in a 41-24 loss, Toussom had eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.

“He had such a good game and was making such an impact, I felt he really redirected that game plan and kind of made them think twice about going towards Big Eddy,” Taylor said. “They were doing some different stuff than they showed all season long. I personally think it made them change their game plan. We played them again, in the playoffs, and you could tell all the plays were different. They were kind of running away from Eddy. We ended up winning that game. You could tell it made an impact in some way.”

Recruiting interest picked up considerably during the season. His decision ultimately came down to UAB and Minnesota. His first commitment came during a December trip to Minnesota. His pledge came 10 days before the early signing period began. Toussom said he wasn’t certain of the choice but the Minnesota coaches told him the scholarship might not be there if he waited.

“UAB was still talking to me the whole time,” Toussom said. “I started thinking this is the place for me. They were my first offer and they still stuck with me through all that. Minnesota, they didn’t want to let me go. I told them I was having doubts but they just kept pushing on me. Coach Sione was calling me every day, seeing how I was doing and asking me if I still wanted to come to UAB.”

He officially made up his mind in the early hours – very early hours – of signing day. Later that day, he was officially a Blazer.

“It was definitely a relief,” Toussom said. “I was really stressed about it the whole time. When I signed, it felt right. It was just a big weight off my shoulders. I was finally where I needed to be. All the struggles were over. I’m good now.”

Toussom quickly made an impact at his new home, even though he was a bit behind when spring practice opened. Toussom and his family took a trip to Cameroon just before spring practice began to tend to family business. He missed most of the defensive installation that was taught before the Blazers began spring work. However, he caught up quickly.

“He came in here with a willingness to learn,” UAB head coach Trent Dilfer said. “He’s embraced the learning. He’s integrated with his teammates great. You watch him interact with his teammates and it feels like he’s been here for a long time. From a skill set, long, athletic, strong. Now, there’s still a lot to work on but the physical traits show up.”