This time last year, Tua Tagovailoa (Tung-oh-vye-low-uh…you’re welcome) was the consensus first overall pick for the 2020 draft and was talked about as a once-in-a-generation talent. As recently as the end of last year, there was talk that Tua might stay in college or be headed to the 2nd or 3rd round due to a sack against Mississippi State that dislocated and fractured his hip, broke his nose, and gave him a concussion. Now, your guess is as good as mine as to where he will land. It will likely be in the first round, but it could be anywhere from pick #2 to pick #32.
If Tua can return fully healthy from his injuries, he’s the best quarterback in this entire draft. His dad used questionable methods, like hitting Tua with a belt when he would throw an interception, to train his son, but Tua credits his success to his dad’s training. It’s impossible not to draw the connection between Tua and his father, and famous draft-bust Todd Marinovich and his dad, but I am not sure it is a fair comparison. Tua seems to have a much better relationship with his own father, and he appears to have used that motivation to make himself into the quarterback he is today.
Tua dominated in high school and was ranked the number one player in the state of Hawaii in 2017. He dominated in college, winning the 2018 National Championship game in a relief performance as a true freshman. He then brought Alabama back to the National Championship in 2019 before losing to Clemson. His team was on track for another National Championship appearance in 2020 before that injury derailed his college career. There’s no reason to think that, if healthy, he won’t dominate at the next level too. This guy is a pure talent and a pure winner.
Tua passed for a total of 87 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions in 32 total collegiate games (24 starts). He also added 9 rushing touchdowns. He’s a legitimate dual-threat quarterback that, if healthy, has the potential to leave a lot of teams frustrated that they didn’t take a chance and draft him.
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 217lbs
Arms: 30 1/2″
Hands: 10″
40-Yard Time: did not run
Potential Landing Spots: Dolphins, Chargers, Raiders