The Miami Dolphins, led by their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, have successfully secured a spot in the playoffs. Tua’s noteworthy impact on the team has garnered praise, with star player Tyreek Hill even endorsing him for the MVP title. While Tua shines in the NFL, his younger brother, Taulia Tagovailoa, is making waves in NCAA football, aspiring to turn his NFL dreams into reality and following in the footsteps of his accomplished older brother.
As the 2024 NFL draft looms on the horizon, Taulia Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins, faces a crucial decision that will significantly impact his remaining time in NCAA football.
Taulia Tagovailoa enters NCAA transfer portal
Taulia Tagovailoa made a significant move on Friday afternoon by entering the transfer portal, sparking discussions about his potential pursuit of an additional year of eligibility at the college level. Nevertheless, there’s a caveat, as the NCAA must grant Tagovailoa a waiver to allow him a sixth season of eligibility.
Tagovailoa, speaking to ESPN on Friday, shed light on his decision and the goals he hopes to achieve on the field. He made it clear behind the decision that an additional year at the collegiate level revolves around improving his draft prospects.
“Just to better my draft stock. I think with another opportunity and another year of college, I can raise that to a Day 1. Obviously, that’s the goal. I have the experience to get better. I’ve seen the defenses before.”
Despite facing challenges and uncertainties, Tagovailoa remains optimistic about the impact another year could have on his draft status. His experience and familiarity with defensive strategies from previous seasons could be key to elevating his performance.
As Tagovailoa contemplates his future, there is no specific timeline for the NCAA’s decision on the waiver. Meanwhile, Maryland took a proactive step by filing a waiver on behalf of Tagovailoa on Thursday.
Central to Tagovailoa’s case is his true freshman season at Alabama. NCAA rules limit players to four games to preserve redshirt eligibility, and Tagovailoa played in five as the third-string quarterback. However, he emphasizes that he had just two snaps apiece in two of those appearances, with only three games contributing to his stats.
Though Tua’s brother remains unsure about the status of the waiver, he acknowledged the support he has received from Alabama throughout the process.
Taulia Tagovailoa’s stats while playing for Maryland
As Taulia Tagovailoa enters the NCAA transfer portal, reflecting on his impactful four seasons with the Maryland Terrapins offers a glimpse into his achievements and potential future endeavors.
Tagovailoa’s journey at Maryland began in 2020, a season disrupted by the pandemic. Despite the challenges, he emerged as a pivotal figure, setting a single-season school record with 3,860 passing yards in 2021. This accomplishment was part of his overall contribution to leading the Terrapins to three consecutive bowl appearances.
Over the course of four seasons with Maryland, Taulia Tagovailoa’s impact was undeniable. He completed an impressive 955 passes for 11,256 yards and notched 76 touchdowns. His mark in the record books extends beyond individual achievements; he became the Big Ten’s career leader in passing yards during the 2023 season.
Tagovailoa’s collegiate journey had its roots in Alabama, where he signed in 2019 before transferring to Maryland in 2020. The quarterback participated in four games during his first season with the Terrapins by using an additional year of eligibility that the NCAA granted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2023 season.
As he contemplates his next move, reports suggest that Tagovailoa is considering playing for the Miami Hurricanes, a decision that would bring him closer to his older brother, Tua. If this move materializes, Taulia Tagovailoa could offer the Hurricanes a wealth of experience in their quarterback room, adding a seasoned presence to an otherwise youthful lineup.
Stay tuned to know whether he continues his journey with the Miami Hurricanes or explores other opportunities.
