Under the wings of his accomplished older brother, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Taulia Tagovailoa has emerged as a promising football talent. The younger Tagovailoa is generating attention not only for his family connections but also for his own potential in the world of football.
Amidst the declarations of various college football standouts, such as Caleb Williams, Brenden Rice, and Marvin Harrison Jr., Taulia has also taken the leap to announce his next destination in the professional football realm.
Who is Taulia Tagovailoa?
Taulia Tagovailoa is the former quarterback at Maryland University. He began his college football journey alongside his brother as teammates on the 2019 Alabama roster. Nevertheless, with the elder brother entering the NFL draft, the younger one decided to make a move, transferring to Maryland. This marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter in his career.
During his four seasons with the Terrapins, Taulia made significant contributions, leaving an enduring legacy. He became the Big Ten’s all-time leader in passing yards, surpassing notable names like Curtis Painter. Maryland experienced newfound success under Taulia’s leadership, making three consecutive bowl appearances starting in 2021.
Taulia’s impressive college stats speak volumes about his skills as a quarterback. He completed 964 of 1,436 passes (67.1%) for a total of 11,356 yards, notching 77 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. His consistency was evident, with over 3,000 passing yards in each of the last three seasons.
As he wraps up his college football journey, Taulia stands atop Maryland’s career records in passing yards, completions, completion percentage, passing touchdowns, and total offense. His final season with the Terrapins saw him record 3,377 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Before his time at Maryland, Taulia spent his debut college football season at Alabama. In Alabama, he gained valuable experience, appearing in five games as the third-string quarterback.
Taulia Tagovailoa set to enter 2024 NFL Draft after NCAA rejection
Taulia Tagovailoa is already gearing up for the 2024 NFL draft, even though he initially sought more time to improve himself on the football field. The decision came after Taulia entered the transfer portal, seeking an NCAA waiver that would allow him to extend his college career.
Nick Saban, who recently retired as Alabama’s head coach, stood behind Taulia’s quest for the waiver. Saban recognized the potential benefits of another year of collegiate play.
Unfortunately, the NCAA did not recognize it. Rather, they denied the offer, leading to Taulia’s entrance into the 2024 NFL Draft. The waiver request primarily revolved around Taulia’s limited play in five games at Alabama in 2019, where he had minimal snaps against Duke and Mississippi State.
As Taulia Tagovailoa now sets his sights on the NFL, his performance and wealth of experience at Maryland make him an intriguing prospect for professional teams. With his brother, Tua Tagovailoa, having been selected fifth overall by the Miami Dolphins, speculation arises about the potential draft pick Taulia might secure in the upcoming draft process.
Which round draft pick would Taulia Tagovailoa make? Share your opinion in the comment box.
