Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has shown glimpses of great play over his five years in college, from his start in Alabama to slinging it with the Terrapins. He has thrown for 11,356 yards and 77 touchdowns, adding 13 rushing touchdowns in his career.
There is potential now that Tagovailoa could be finding a new college home for 2024. The potential of potentially reuniting near his brother in Miami is a real possibility as well.
Taulia Tagovailoa Out of Bowl Game
Maryland is preparing for their Music City Bowl matchup against the Auburn Tigers on December 30.
The Terrapins will be without their starting quarterback, as Tagovailoa opted out of playing in the bowl game.
MORE: College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker
Part of the reason for that is Maryland coach Mike Locksley said Tagovailoa could enter the transfer portal and transfer to another school for the 2024 season. Locksley spoke on the “The Vinny & Haynie Show” on 105.7 The Fan this week, discussing a good conversation between them.
“When he came to sit down, and then he made the decision that he didn’t want to play in the bowl game to pursue future opportunities, whether it be the NFL, whether it be transferring if there were more time available,” Locksley said in the interview.
Tagovailoa’s Eligibility Status for 2024
One interesting aspect to consider is that Tagovailoa is technically not eligible to play in 2024 as a graduate transfer. The reason for that is he played five games with the Crismon Tide his freshman year before transferring to Maryland.
In college football, players need to play four or fewer games to redshirt.
MORE: Redshirting 101, All You Need to Know About Redshirts
That’s going to lead to an interesting battle between Tagovailoa and the NCAA, as they will have to decide on the potential redshirt year with Alabama. The second is Alabama and Maryland would both have to sign off on moving to a third school, which isn’t guaranteed.
It could all end with Tagovailoa’s family hiring a lawyer to fight for his sixth year of eligibility.
Could Taulia Reunite With Tua in Miami Next Season?
So, if everyone goes according to play for Tagovailoa and he joins the transfer portal, what is next for him?
Sources told Inside MD Sports that his family would like him to go to Miami to be closer to his brother Tua, who is currently the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins.
Miami lost their starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke who entered the transfer portal and chose Wisconsin. Emory Williams played in five games and got one start this season, throwing for 470 yards and three touchdowns to one interception.
Tagovailoa would be a favorite to win the job as he would have to compete with Williams for it. He would be a good fit for the Air Raid offense and can show off his arm strength like what his brother is doing for the Dolphins.
There is also the factor of NIL deals in Miami, which would be too good to pass up. Tagovailoa could be making millions of dollars from playing with the Hurricanes and potentially doing commercials with his brother in the same city.
The Hurricanes could be explosive in the ACC in 2024, but if they wanted him, all the chips would need to fall in the right place for it to happen.
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!