South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Tua’s brother enters portal
If eligible, could Miami be his landing spot?
Could Miami’s professional and college football team both be quarterbacked by a Tagovailoa in 2024?
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, the younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, entered the transfer portal Friday.
The Miami Hurricanes just so happen to be looking for a quarterback in the transfer market.
The younger Tagovailoa, who has set records with the Terrapins, is seeking an extra year of eligibility to play a sixth college season. As a redshirt senior, Tagovailoa is not currently eligible to play in 2024, but he can receive a hardship waiver from the NCAA to return to the field at a new school as a graduate transfer.
Tagovailoa became the Big Ten’s career leader in passing yards this season. He has set nearly every Maryland career passing record, including yards (11,256), touchdowns (76), completion percentage (.671) and 300-yard games (15). Tagovailoa set a season school record with 3,860 passing yards in 2021 and led the Terrapins to three straight bowl appearances.
Miami is still in need of a quarterback after last season’s starter, Tyler Van Dyke, transferred to Wisconsin. One option, Washington State’s Cam Ward, opted for the NFL draft this week.
Tagovailoa could also end up pursuing a professional career, whether he isn’t given the sixth year or by choice. Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard chose to transfer to Ohio State.
Tagovailoa, who skipped out on Maryland’s matchup with Auburn in the Music City Bowl, was expected to enter the NFL draft weeks back, and Tua Tagovailoa reacted to the rumblings.
“I’m always here for ‘Lia (Taulia). I’m always here for you. You know that. Whatever you need, I can help with,” Tua said.
“But outside of that, I just tell my brother to listen to what he thinks is best when he hires agents or when he has to go throughout that process. I’m not the one who’s going to tell you who you should go with or whatnot. That should be totally up to you. Because when it’s your decision, regardless of if it is right or wrong, in the end, you always make it right.”
Tua Tagovailoa is in his fourth professional season with the Dolphins and was named to his first Pro Bowl this week. Leading the NFL in passing yards (4,451) and completion percentage (69.6), he is bound for a pivotal Sunday night showdown with the rival Buffalo Bills to determine the AFC East winner and conference’s No. 2 seed in the playoffs.