If you are a fan of college football, you may have heard of Tua Tagovailoa, the former Alabama star and current Miami Dolphins quarterback. But did you know that he has a younger brother who is also a quarterback in the Big Ten Conference? His name is Taulia Tagovailoa, and he plays for the Maryland Terrapins. In this article, we will explore the relationship between the two brothers, their similarities and differences, and their achievements on and off the field.
The Tagovailoa Family
Tua and Taulia are two of four children born to Galu and Diane Tagovailoa, who are originally from American Samoa. The family moved to Hawaii when Tua was a toddler, and later to Alabama when he enrolled at the University of Alabama in 2017. Taulia followed his brother’s footsteps and joined him at Alabama in 2019, but transferred to Maryland in 2020 after Tua declared for the NFL draft.
The Tagovailoa brothers are very close and supportive of each other, often exchanging texts and calls before and after games. They also share a strong faith in God and a passion for football. According to ESPN, their father Galu taught them how to play quarterback from a young age, using drills and techniques he learned from watching videos of NFL legends like Steve Young and Joe Montana.
The Quarterback Comparison
Tua and Taulia have many similarities as quarterbacks, but also some notable differences. Both are left-handed, mobile, accurate, and have a knack for making big plays. However, Tua is taller (6’1″ vs 5’11”) and has a stronger arm than Taulia, while Taulia is more elusive and creative than Tua.
Tua had a stellar career at Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2017 as a freshman, and winning several awards and honors, including the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, and the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2018. He finished his college career with 7,442 passing yards, 87 passing touchdowns, 9 rushing touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Taulia had a slow start at Alabama, playing sparingly behind Tua and Mac Jones in 2019. He transferred to Maryland in 2020, where he became the starter under head coach Mike Locksley, who was also Tua’s offensive coordinator at Alabama. He had a breakout season in 2021, setting school records for passing yards (3,860), completions (328), completion percentage (69.2%), and tying the record for passing touchdowns (26). He also led the Terrapins to their first bowl win since 2010, earning the MVP honors in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Virginia Tech. He entered the 2022 season as one of the top quarterbacks in the country and a candidate for several awards.
The Injury Setback
Unfortunately, both brothers have also suffered serious injuries that have affected their careers. Tua sustained a hip dislocation and fracture in November 2019 against Mississippi State, which ended his college career prematurely and raised concerns about his durability in the NFL. He underwent surgery and rehabilitation, and made his NFL debut in October 2020. He has since shown flashes of brilliance but also inconsistency and injury issues with the Dolphins.
Taulia suffered an apparent knee injury in November 2022 against Indiana, which ended his regular season prematurely and put his future in doubt. He was carted off the field after an Indiana defender fell into him at the end of a play. He underwent surgery and is expected to miss several months of recovery time. He has not announced whether he will return to Maryland for his senior season or declare for the NFL draft.
The Conclusion
Tua and Taulia Tagovailoa are two talented quarterbacks who share a family bond, a football legacy, and a resilient spirit. They have overcome many challenges and achieved many successes on and off the field. They are not only related by blood, but also by passion. They are both inspirations for many young athletes who dream of following their footsteps.
