BREAKING: Maryland Football QB Taulia Tagovailoa Denied Waiver for Eligibility Next Fall; Transferred From Alabama Crimson Tide in 2019 – REPORT
In the era of player empowerment, NIL, and the transfer portal, the NCAA has made a shocking move by denying Maryland football quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa any remaining college eligibility. Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the NCAA denied Tagovailoa’s waiver for an additional year of eligibility.
On behalf of Tagovailoa, former head coach of the Alabama football team Nick Saban also filed an appeal. In a persuasive letter to the NCAA, the venerable bench boss urged them to back the signal-caller. Alan Bowman, the quarterback for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, was just given an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA. In 2018, Bowman enrolled in college, one year ahead of Tagovailoa.
Maryland Football QB Taulia Tagovailoa: College Career Ends
Taulia Tagovailoa, the fourth-ranked pro-style quarterback in the class of 2019, started his career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. During his freshman season, he played behind his brother Tua Tagovailoa and fellow gunslinger Mac Jones, going 9-of-12 for 100 yards and a score. The younger Tagovailoa transferred to the Maryland football program the following season.
The Hawaii native started four games for the Terrapins during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, throwing for
1,011 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in opposition. The next season, he made a comeback and finished with a career-high 3,860 throwing yards and 26 touchdowns. In a 54-10 victory at the Pinstripe Bowl, he completed 20 of 24 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns, earning MVP honors. For Maryland, it was their first bowl victory in over ten years.
In one fewer game in 2022, Tagovailoa passed for 3,008 yards and eight touchdowns against eight picks. In 2023, he came back for his final season and completed passes for 3,377 yards and 25 touchdowns against 11 picks. As he departs the program, Tagovailoa leads the Terrapins in career throwing yards and touchdowns. In addition, he has the most passing yards in Big Ten history.
Taulia Tagovailoa: NFL Profile
Per NFL Draft Buzz, Taulia Tagovailoa is currently projected as a fifth-round selection. His size and speed, like his brother, could become an issue. However, his passing and leadership qualities remain a strength. The site’s most significant concern with the five-foot-eleven signal-caller outside his height is arm strength. Tagovailoa will now prepare for life in the NFL with his waiver denied on Tuesday.
