The 2023 TransPerfect Music City Bowl features the Auburn Tigers taking on the Maryland Terrapins. But a notable face was absent from the action when the game kicked off.
Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa was missing in action when Maryland took the field, leaving questions aplenty for his status in 2024 and beyond.
What Happened to Taulia Tagovailoa?
While the latest updates around Tagovailoa are scarce, the first thing that jumps off the screen is that he’s not on the field with the Terrapins during their outing against Auburn in the Music City Bowl. Tagovailoa opted out of playing in the Music City Bowl as he weighs his options for the future.
Those options, however, are as murky as the Terps’ status without him. Just weeks before kickoff of the Music City Bowl, Tagovailoa stated that he would opt out, but rumors following that decision soon began to arise about his potential transfer away from Maryland.
MORE: College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker
In order to do so, Tagovailoa would have to challenge the NCAA for a waiver to extend his eligibility, as he played in five games for Alabama before transferring and receiving a free year of eligibility during the COVID season in 2020.
Tagovailoa can also opt into the NFL Draft if his waiver isn’t cleared, meaning we likely don’t get a firm decision on his 2024 status until January 15 at the earliest.
Who Started the Music City Bowl for Maryland?
In Tagovailoa’s place, Billy Edwards Jr. got the start against Auburn. Edwards, a sophomore from Springfield, Virginia, had 56 career pass attempts in his young career, including just 10 attempts this past season.
He played well in relief a year ago, tossing three scores and completing 60.9% of his passes for 308 yards as a true freshman.
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