Tua Tagovailoa now has a massive offensive lineman to help him in Miami, Fla.
Today, the Miami Dolphins announced it has signed D.J. Fluker as an unrestricted free agent from the Baltimore Ravens.
Fluker, who stands at 6’5″ and weighs 342 pounds, enters his ninth season in the National Football League. A native of Foley, Ala., he was a dominant offensive lineman for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama from 2009 to 2012.
He helped Mark Ingram bring the program its first-ever Heisman Trophy winner while guiding Trent Richardson to set the single-season school rushing mark in 2011 (1,679 yards, 21 touchdowns). Fluker was a three-time BCS National Champion with the Crimson Tide.
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The former All-American was selected in the first round (No. 11 overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
He played four seasons (2013-16) with the San Diego Chargers, spent one year with the New York Giants, played two seasons on the Seattle Seahawks, and served on the Ravens’ roster last year. Fluker has seen action in 106 career games, including 96 starts.
Tagovailoa gets a critical pass protector in the offseason to help his development.
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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.
