QB Prospect Breakdown: Taulia Tagovailoa
Taking a look at possible quarterback prospect from Maryland, Taulia Tagovailoa.
The key to having a franchise quarterback is to search in the draft. It is honestly the only way. You won’t find another Drew Brees, consider him a unicorn. If you want to have a guy to lead your team to success, you not only have to draft him, you need to get him in the first round, preferably in the top ten. Since at least 3/4 of the quarterbacks starting for an NFL team are not only first round picks, but they were selected within the top ten rounds of the NFL Draft. I will conduct a series where I watch film on products. Regardless where they might declare for the draft, and decide if they are worth it and should you go for him. Firsts is the junior quarterback from Maryland, Taulia Tagovailoa.
Background:
The little brother to current Miami Dolphins starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa (I am not typing his full first name, that is abuse), Taulia was first with the Alabama Crimson Tide and was perhaps going to be the starting guy after Tua declared for the draft. But that wasn't going to happen until maybe 2021 (Mac Jones got ahead of him). So Taulia entered the transfer portal and ended up with Maryland. Last year was his first season starting as a sophomore, and is currently in his junior year. Taulia in his sophomore year recorded 7TDs and 7INTs, and threw for over 1000 yards with a 61.5 completion percentage. Through three games as of this piece, he has seven TDs, no picks, and over 900 yards passing with 75.5% completion percentage. Suffice to say, massive improvement so far.
Breakdown:
Small build, 5’11”, 205lbs per his stat sheet on ESPN.
Has great mobility. Good agility and can really do well escaping from pressure. Good gap discipline needed to contain him.
Good arm strength. Can really throw it deep when he wants to. Maryland’s offense is more designed for bubble screens and slants. No real route running for their receivers.
Some impressive ball placement.
Would function well in a West Coast offense style offense
Does have some clutch in him and some good situational awareness.
Overall Thoughts:
Taulia is honestly better than his older brother, Tua. Taulia is more aggressive and decisive while Tua is more conservative. Taulia has some great athleticism that makes him a good dual threat, and he has some very good passing mechanics. His arm strength might get him knocked down as I don’t think he can throw it with 60+ air yards, though he can throw the deep ball. When the ball leaves his hands, it is just so pretty. He’s a lot like Russell Wilson though I’d say Wilson has the stronger arm.
Should Taulia declare as a junior, he’d probably get a lot of 2nd round and 3rd round remarks, with late first round buzz once April rolls around. If I were Taulia, I’d stay in Maryland for his senior year, get a Senior Bowl invitation, ball out, and get consistent first round marks. Should he do the latter instead of the former, he could end up being a top ten pick.
Taulia might be on of my favorite quarterbacks in college. Watching him play is pretty impressive. He might be everything thought Tua would be. It’ll be interesting to see if he declares after his junior year, but I would expect him to be in the 2023 NFL Draft rather than 2022.