The legend that Tua Tagovailoa is writing starts a new chapter, as he begins penning the next page of what we hope will be an equally-legendary professional career.
The Crimson Tide southpaw was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 5th overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft. Credit to the ‘Fins; since that January 2018 night in Atlanta, Miami has carefully tanked, traded, and deconstructed its roster for this moment, this player.
#TankForTua indeed.
I’d rather have Tua with a peg leg than Justin Herbert. Listenin to all these analysts change their tunes on Herbert cause now know he is goin high is goofy as hell. Teams at the top of draft suck. Thats like changin your answer cause dumb kid next to you has a different one.
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) April 21, 2020
Ending months of speculation, draft subterfuge, poor-mouthing, a draftnik-manufactured horse race with lesser players, and concerns about his health, a player that seemed to be a lock for the No. 1 overall draft pick until a terrifying, potentially career-ending injury on that bright November day in Starkville still went early.
If the Dolphins take Justin Herbert and pass on Tua Tagovailoa, they should be forced to play in the Everglades.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) April 23, 2020
The injury cost him a few million to be sure. But, Tua’s well-professed faith has been rewarded: for as freakish an injury as Tagovailoa endured, his surgery, recovery, and rehabilitation has gone above and beyond the wildest expectations of “textbook” — he will be ready to play when the game can resume. The generational talent that wrote a legendary chapter in college football history by creating plays with his mobility, accuracy, and uncanny processing and anticipation, has now added a new skill to his repertoire — protecting himself; a valuable object lesson in throwing the ball away.
A few Tua Tagovailoa stats:
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 22, 2020
He was the most efficient QB in CFB history with a 199.4 career passer efficiency.
He has the best career TD-INT ratio (7.91, 87 TDs-to-11 INTs) in FBS history with min of 70 pass TDs.
He has the best QBR (93.5) & YPA (10.88) since at least 2004.
For his Alabama career, Tagovailoa ends with the following stats and accolades:
Two-time All-American
Freshman All-American
Freshman All-SEC
Two-Time All-SEC Selection
SEC Champion
National Champion
College Football Playoff Championship MVP
Two-time Heisman Finalist and 2018 runner-up
Walter Camp Award Winner
Maxwell Award Winner
474-for-684 (69.3%) for 7,442 yards
87 TDs to just 11 interceptions
He finished his college career with NCAA career records in passing yards per attempt (10.9), adjusted passing yards per attempt (12.7), passing efficiency rating (199.4), and total yards per play (9.8).
Not just the best Alabama quarterback of all-time, he is one of the best to ever suit them up and a truly special talent. Every time he stepped on a field, we expected him to deliver magic. And he did. He made the jaw-dropping look routine; the difficult look easy.
...And, he gave the sport one of its most memorable moments in the 150 years of college football.
We wish you nothing but the very best, Tua. You’ve earned it.
Roll Tide
#BuiltByBama