Taulia Tagovailoa, the record-setting former Maryland Terrapins quarterback, has signed with the Hamburg Sea Devils of the European League of Football (ELF), marking a new chapter in his professional football journey.
The move comes after stints in both the NFL and CFL, and offers Tagovailoa a fresh opportunity to showcase his talents on an international stage.
Taulia Tagovailoa’s Journey: From College Stardom to Overseas Opportunities
Taulia Tagovailoa’s football story is defined by perseverance and historic achievement. After transferring from Alabama, he became Maryland’s all-time passing leader, setting 11 program records, including career passing yards (11,256), passing touchdowns (76), and completions (955).
Now, he’ll join a Hamburg Sea Devils squad that has won two division titles since the league’s inception in 2021.
The @SeaDevilsHH have signed QB Taulia Tagovailoa 😈 pic.twitter.com/Ub4XZkfJEf
— European League of Football (@ELF_Official) May 22, 2025
At Maryland, he broke the Big Ten record for most passing yards, which made him stand out among the country’s best college football players. Despite his great achievements, Tagovailoa wasn’t drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, yet he was still asked to participate in their minicamp training sessions by the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.
He started his professional career with the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who played him in eight games, mostly as a package player. All of his action came in one pass for 6 yards. He also rushed for 10 yards and a touchdown.
However, the Tiger-Cats released him ahead of the 2025 training camp, with head coach Scott Milanovich stating, “It was the fit. I think [Taulia] has a lot of talent. He’s got a chance. He’s a great kid. I wish him well. It’s hard to see him go.”
Now, Tagovailoa heads to Germany, signing with the Hamburg Sea Devils after an injury sidelined their starting quarterback, Micah Leon. The Sea Devils, who compete in a 16-team league spanning several European countries, are looking to rebound from a challenging 2-10 season.
Tagovailoa’s arrival in Hamburg has generated excitement among ELF fans eager to see if his college brilliance can translate to European success.
The Sea Devils announced him as their new starting quarterback, and he’s anticipated to hit the ground running. The team’s next game is against Prague on Saturday, May 24.
“With this signing, the Sea Devils bring in a talented and experienced player—especially known in the world of college football,” noted the official ELF report.
RELATED: How Sean O’Haire’s Irish Roots Are Fueling Maryland’s Audacious Takeover in College Football
This move shows how determined Tagovailoa is to keep playing top-level football, even if it means heading overseas. Since he’s the younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Taulia already has a name people recognize, plus he’s got a solid track record to back it up.
His leadership and experience could be just what Hamburg needs as they try to move up in the ELF standings and become serious contenders again. The overseas deal allows Tagovailoa to start fresh in his career. After setting new records at both the Maryland and Big Ten levels, he is now setting out to play in Europe’s League of Football.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
