IBM Big Blue made history last weekend when they defeated the Obic Seagulls in the first week of play in Japan’s top league, the X League, and one of the keys was the play of defensive tackles Charles Tuaau.
The 25 year old Hawaiian was a force on the defensive line in his first regular season game in Japan.. Despite being double teamed virtually the entire game, he pressured Obic QB Shun Suguwara all game long while recording two tackles. He was a factor in helping IBM to an historic 38-34 win, their first ever over the Seagulls.
Tuaau, 6’5″, 315 lbs, came to IBM after stints with the Kansas City Chiefs (2015) and Miami Dolphins (2016).
IBM Big Blue defensive lineman Charles Tuaau (#92) harassing Obic QB Shun Suguwara Photo: Chris Pfaff, Inside Sport: Japan, Sept 5, 2017
The native of Wahiawa,Hawaii played college football at two junior colleges in California, Pasadena City College and Riverside City College, before transferring to Texas A&M University–Commerce (NCAA Div. II), where he earned All-American honors in 2013. In his senior season in 2014, Tuaau amassed 27 tackles, including 14 unassisted tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.[8] He was selected as a Cliff Harris Award finalist as one of the nation’s most outstanding defensive players at a “small college”and also helped lead A&M–Commerce to the 2014 Lone Star Conference championship.