Taulia Tagovailoa transfers to Maryland from Alabama after brother selected by Miami Dolphins
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced Friday he is transferring from Alabama to Maryland after entering the transfer portal earlier this month.
Taulia Tagovailoa, also a quarterback, will play for Mike Locksley at Maryland. Locksley was an offensive coordinator at Alabama and coached Tua before going to the Terrapins.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Alabama Crimson Tide backup QB Taulia Tagovailoa warms up prior to game against the Texas A&M Aggies on October 12, 2019 at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Taulia has outstanding field vision and excellent pocket awareness,” Locksley said in a statement. “He's a twitchy passer that has the ability to make and extend plays in and outside of the pocket because of his above-average athleticism. Taulia has terrific touch and trajectory on his throws and delivers the ball with above-average accuracy. He's a highly competitive player that will bring great competition to a good quarterback room.”
Locksley said in a separate interview with AL.com that he was surprised he was able to land Tagovailoa.
“As I’m in the middle of the show, which starts at 7 o’clock Eastern time here, I just know my phone started blowing up and buzzing and buzzing and buzzing,” he told the paper. “So I looked down and saw I had a missed call from an 808 (Hawaii) number. And then I was finishing my show and by the time I finished the show, probably around 7:35 or 7:40, my phone had just blown up that Taulia had said he was coming to Maryland. So I called him back and he said, ‘Hey Coach, as a family we’ve prayed about it and I’m coming to Maryland.’”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tagovailoa thanked Alabama coach Nick Saban for allowing him to stay one season at Alabama.
“This decision was not easy & has been prayed on non stop,” Tagovailoa wrote in a tweeted statement. “Thank you to my Pastors & my family for always interceding on my behalf.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Today, I am blessed to share that I will be continuing my academic & athletic journey at the University of Maryland. I’m grateful to Coach Locksley & the staff for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to get to College Park. God bless & Go Terps.”
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Maryland was 3-9 overall last season and 1-9 in the Big Ten Conference. Their only conference win came against Rutgers.