He is no longer in the running for the Heisman Trophy, but it’s good to see a national award recognize him as a finalist.
According to an announcement from the Allstate Sugar Bowl committee on Thursday, Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama was one of 12 finalists named for the Manning Award.
In honor of the Manning family – Archie, Peyton and Eli – the award is presented to the best collegiate quarterback. It is the only quarterback award that includes each candidate’s postseason-bowl performance in its balloting.
While four signal callers from the Southeastern Conference have won the honor since 2004, none have come from the Crimson Tide.
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Prior to suffering a season-ending hip injury against Mississippi State, Tagovailoa was putting together an incredible junior season.
The 6-foot-1, 218-pounder accounts for 35 touchdowns (two rushing) to three interceptions and has 2,840 passing yards on completing 180 of 252 passes.
In terms of Alabama’s record books, he holds the all-time marks in scoring tosses (87; career), total touchdowns (96; career), single-season scores (48; in 2018), single-game touchdowns (seven), single-season passing yards (3,966; in 2018) and single-season touchdown passes (43; in 2018) to name a few.
Since his arrival from Hawaii in 2017, Tagovailoa changed the culture and dynamic of Alabama football.
He came off the bench in the second half of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and delivered the program to a 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia.
He has constantly blown people away with his accuracy and precision as a passer; however, it is his leadership and positive spirit as a person that touched Nick Saban.
Even with him having a tough decision to make, following this season, no one would trade the great moments Tagovailoa has brought to the team for anything else.
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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.
