If you are a fan of college football, you might have heard of Taulia Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins. He has been making headlines for his impressive performances and breaking school records. But did you know that he is also related to Tua Tagovailoa, the former Alabama star and current Miami Dolphins quarterback? Here is everything you need to know about the Tagovailoa brothers and their football journey.
The Tagovailoa Family
Taulia Tagovailoa was born on February 26, 2000, in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. He is the son of Galu and Diane Tagovailoa, who are both of Samoan descent. He has three siblings: Tua, Taylor, and Taysia. Tua is the oldest and was born on March 2, 1998. Taylor is the youngest and was born on September 30, 2003. Taysia is the only sister and was born on July 13, 2001.
The Tagovailoa family is very close and religious. They moved from Hawaii to Alabama in 2017 to support Tua’s college career at Alabama. They later moved to Maryland in 2020 to follow Taulia’s transfer from Alabama to Maryland.
The Football Journey
Taulia Tagovailoa started playing football at a young age, following his older brother’s footsteps. He played quarterback for Kapolei High School in Hawaii, where he threw for over 6,000 yards and 64 touchdowns in two seasons. He then transferred to Thompson High School in Alabama, where he led his team to a state championship in his senior year. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 35 touchdowns in each of his two seasons at Thompson.
Taulia Tagovailoa was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 5 pro-style quarterback in the nation by 247Sports. He committed to Alabama in April 2018, joining his brother Tua on the Crimson Tide roster. He spent his freshman year in 2019 as a backup to Tua and Mac Jones, appearing in five games and completing nine of 12 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown.
However, after Tua declared for the NFL draft in January 2020, Taulia decided to enter the transfer portal in May 2020. He chose Maryland as his destination, reuniting with former Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, who became the head coach of the Terrapins in December 2018.
Taulia Tagovailoa received a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately for Maryland in 2020. He started in four games out of six in the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He led Maryland to a 2-2 record, including an upset win over Penn State, ending a five-game losing streak against the Nittany Lions. He threw for 1,011 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
Taulia Tagovailoa returned to Maryland as the starter in 2021, starting in all 13 games and earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He led Maryland to a 7-6 record, the program’s first winning season since 2014 and the program’s first bowl bid since 2016. He broke the school records for single-season completions (282), passing yards (3,008), and tied the record for passing touchdowns (18). He also set the school record for career completions (357) and passing yards (4,019). He was named the MVP of the Pinstripe Bowl after throwing for a career-high 392 yards and three touchdowns in a 54-10 win over Virginia Tech.
The Future Prospects
Taulia Tagovailoa has one more year of eligibility left at Maryland. He has not announced his plans for next season yet, but he could return to lead the Terrapins to another successful campaign or declare for the NFL draft if he feels ready.
According to NFL Draft Buzz, Taulia Tagovailoa is a quality physical prospect with excellent mobility, a decent arm, and impressive accuracy. He also has the professionalism you look for in a pro signal caller. However, he also suffers from random mental lapses and is prone to bonehead decisions while under pressure.
Taulia Tagovailoa is currently projected as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent by most draft experts. He could improve his stock with a strong senior season or a good showing at the NFL combine or pro day.
Taulia Tagovailoa has shown that he is more than just Tua’s brother. He is a talented quarterback who has made his own name at Maryland. He is also a proud member of the Tagovailoa family, who share a strong bond and a passion for football. Whether he returns to college or enters the NFL, he will continue to chase his dreams and make his family proud.
