An Intriguing QB Prospect:

Taulia Tagovailoa

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

9/29/2021

         The University of Maryland football program has started the 2021 College football season strong. As they are currently tied for first in the Big 10 East Division with a 4-0 record. A record on par with Big 10 powerhouses Michigan and Penn State. Now whether some question the true validity of this Maryland team, that is a fair inquiry. A question that may be less valid is if Junior QB Taulia Tagovailoa is a top-level signal caller. His start to this season has been terrific, and his growth as QB has shown through his counting stats and play on the field. That leaves me with the want to do my own short analysis of Tagovailoa as a Quarterback. As this piece will look to highlight his strong suits as a quarterback. While best characterizing him as an overall QB prospect.

            The first area of Tagovailoa’s game that must be highlighted is his ability to throw the ball while on the move. As he has showcased since arriving at Maryland in 2019 tremendous athleticism and accuracy throwing on the move. Whether he is extending the play and escaping the pocket to find a target off schedule. Or operating on designed rollouts, sprint option plays, etc. Tagovailoa has been effective within these play concepts. His accuracy as a passer makes this playmaking combination lethal. As he can place the football in a spot where only his receiver can get it, or where they can make yards after the catch. This type of accuracy has led to Maryland being one of the more explosive after catch offenses in college football. Meaning Tagovailoa’s combination of athleticism and on the move, accuracy helps generate big plays consistently each week for this offense.

            The next area of his game that should be highlighted is his improved accuracy and pocket presence. As Tagovailoa not only sports a 75.5% completion percentage, which leads all of College football. He has clearly improved in his ball placement, especially on his deeper throws in this Maryland offense. This coincides with his ever-improving pocket presence, as he has become more comfortable maneuvering within the pocket to reset and make throws down the field. He has displayed calmer feet, while keeping his eyes down field and going through his reads. All this while utilizing his running ability and athleticism to extend plays and escape sacks when necessary. Tagovailoa because his game has grown in these key areas has helped Maryland become a more efficient offense. While allowing him to rank 7th in the country in passing yards on the year with 1,340 yards. As he gains more confidence, this Maryland team will be a tough offensive unit to stop as the season progresses.

            The third and final part of his game to mention is his fearlessness as a player. Whether it be fitting a ball into a tight window or taking off and making big plays with his legs Tagovailoa shows no fear to make any play on the field. This type of reckless abandon displays the type of winner intangibles that a team can rally around. At the same time, he and Maryland’s coaching staff must manage this trait as well. Tagovailoa must make sure to keep this type of playmaking confidence, while also not putting the ball or himself in harms way. So far, he has done this with a 10-1 touchdown to interception ratio. While also remaining in good health, but this must continue for Maryland to continue to have a strong season.

            Overall, the best way to characterize Taulia Tagovailoa as a quarterback is to deem him dynamic. He has good arm strength, with the ability to make all the throws. He continues to grow in terms of his pocket awareness and his mobility allows him to extend plays when the pocket and or play breaks down. His accuracy as a passer whether stationary or on the move is very impressive and his confidence makes him a playmaker any time the ball is in his hands. Tagovailoa with continued high-level play should gain national attention as a QB prospect. Rising in draft rankings and becoming a prospect many NFL scouts look out for in terms of his development as his season progresses.