Crimson Tide’s Tua Tagovailoa back on the field again
From a newsmaking standpoint, Tua Tagovailoa is stealing the show through Alabama’s first two spring practices.
After injuring a thumb Tuesday during the Crimson Tide’s first workout, the 6-foot-1, 218pound sophomore quarterback was back on the practice field Thursday. The star of Alabama’s comeback win over Georgia in January’s national championship game worked with team trainer Jeff Allen during the second practice, focusing on dropping back and rolling out while junior Jalen Hurts and redshirt freshman Mac Jones participated in throwing drills.
The competition between Hurts, who is 26-2 as Alabama’s starter, and Tagovailoa has been one of the most anticipated spring stories in college football.
“I think it’s been nothing but positive,” fifth-year senior Ross Pierschbacher, who is practicing
at center, said in a news conference before Thursday’s workout. “Even interacting in the locker room, they’ve been friendly about it and civil, so there has been no butting heads or anything.
“That’s been good to see. I think they’re all handling it with maturity, and I think the team is recognizing that and is responding well.”
Alabama coach Nick Saban
said after Tuesday’s practice that Tagovailoa was “probably going to require some time for him to get back.” He wound up not missing a practice at all, but Saban said Tuesday that the key would be how long it would take for Tagovailoa to comfortably grip the football with his left hand.
The Crimson Tide are scheduled to hold their third spring practice Saturday, with Saban not expected to speak again until next Tuesday’s fourth workout.
“I know that every time that I stand up here, you’re going to try and make something out of this that it isn’t,” Saban said Tuesday of the competition. “It’s two good players who can both contribute to our team. They’ve been good with each other, and they’ve been good for each other.
“They’ve both shown leadership to our team, and they’re both important to our team.”
Alabama’s second spring practice consisted of a twohour workout in helmets and shorts. Sophomore inside linebacker Dylan Moses, who wore jersey No. 18 last season, is now wearing the No. 32 formerly worn by Rashaan Evans.
The news of the day was Tagovailoa’s return and where the quarterback conversation goes from here.
“We’re going to go out and do our job, and they’re going to do their job,” Pierschbacher said, “and may the best man win. It’s been fun to see so far.”