He showed last season that when healthy, he is by far the most effective quarterback in all of college football.
In his first-year as a starter, Tua Tagovailoa gave the University of Alabama something it never had in recent seasons under Nick Saban: an offense full of entertainment.
Seeing points dropped on opponents at will was enough for fans of the Crimson Tide to brag about how impressive the group was.
Regardless of the fun, the most important goal was missed in the celebration.
Alabama did not capture a national championship and on the grandest stage where Tagovailoa is known to thrive, he suffered two interceptions in a 44-16 loss to Clemson.
The consensus All-American and Heisman finalist returns with challenges facing him.
For the school that has the slogan “Where Legends Are Made,” starting signal callers earn their place in history by capturing titles.
He broke multiple school record and spearheaded the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense (45.6 ppg) and No. 6 total offense (522 ypg) in 2018; however, it came with Dan Enos at quarterbacks’ coach. With him now at University of Miami, Alabama returns Steve Sarkisian.
Despite his connection with quarterbacks, one has to wonder on whether the experiment with he and Tagovailoa will work and can Sarkisian handle this operation?
Also, the 2020 NFL Draft offers challenges for Tagovailoa.
RELATED: Four-team race for former Alabama RB Josh Jacobs at NFL Draft
He wants to be the first quarterback taken and possibly the No. 1 overall pick, but he will compete against a deep field at his position. The native Hawaiian is the ultimate competitor and next season will be one to test his maturity.
In Tuesday’s airing of In My Own Words, Stephen Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine broke down Tagovailoa and what awaits him in the fall.
You can listen to the audio version of the podcast via SoundCloud.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
