Taulia Tagovailoa reunites with Mike Locksley at Maryland

After entering the transfer portal a week ago, Taulia Tagovailoa, the younger brother of Tua, has decided to head to the University of Maryland.

The Alabama Crimson tide lost both of the Tagovailoa brothers in one year. Tua declared for the 2020 NFL Draft and was selected fifth overall by the Miami Dolphins, and now after entering the transfer portal about a week ago, Taulia Tagovailoa has decided to head to the University of Maryland.

In an article laying out the five best options for Tagovailoa, this writer mentioned Maryland as a potential destination along with Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Michigan, and Hawai’i. While Tagovailoa was never in Tuscaloosa when former offensive coordinator Mike Locksley was, the now head coach of the Terps was sure to play a big role in Taulia’s recruiting process.

Maryland ran through quarterbacks a year ago, starting the likes of Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson, as well as Tyrrell Pigrome. Neither player saw extraordinary success under Locksley in the first year of his reign with the Terps, so perhaps a familiar face will help the former Alabama offensive coordinator jumpstart that program.

After Taulia’s brother Tua went down with an injury to hip hip in 2019, Mac Jones stepped in as the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide, with the younger Tagovailoa becoming his backup. While Jones could declare after this year, giving Taulia the opportunity to step in and start in 2021, Alabama also landed five-star dual-threat quarterback Bryce Young.

With the path to the starting job in Tuscaloosa looking cloudy and grim, Taulia Tagovailoa saw it as an opportunity for a change. He still lands with a power five school, and now looks to win a starting job in the Big Ten. Can he beat out Jackson and Pigrome on his way to the top of the depth chart?