Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa Reportedly Declares For 2024 NFL Draft

Despite his best efforts to receive an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA, it appears that Taulia Tagovailoa's college football career has come to an end. The Maryland quarterback will now turn his focus to the 2024 NFL Draft.

According to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, the NCAA is expected to deny Tagovailoa's request at a sixth year of eligibility. He initially entered the transfer portal after the 2023 regular season in hopes of receiving a waiver. 

Tagovailoa threw for 11,256 yards and 76 touchdowns during his four seasons at Maryland. He also led the Terrapins to three bowl appearances from 2021-23.

Tagovailoa began his college career at Alabama in 2019 but transferred after his brother, Tua, declared for the NFL Draft. The younger Tagovailoa then landed with former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Mike Locksley in College Park.

While at Alabama, Tagovailoa appeared in five games — one more than the allotted amount to retain a redshirt. He played two snaps in the Crimson Tide's 38-7 win over Mississippi State that season, honoring his brother, who suffered a hip injury in the game.

“Honestly, if I could do it again, hopefully my brother doesn’t get injured and I’m not in that emotional state where I want to play in the game. If I got to do it over again, I wouldn’t have played in the game,” he told ESPN's Pete Thamel. “Coach asked me if I wanted to go in. Of course I wanted to go in and play for my brother. And that’s what happened.”

The NCAA was apparently quick to act and now Tagovailoa knows his future. He'll start preparing for the NFL Draft in hopes of hearing his name called at some point between Thursday, April 25 and Saturday, April 27.

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