Tua Tagovailoa now has a Pro Football Hall of Famer believing he will be dynamic in his third NFL season.
O. J. Simpson became one of the greatest running backs in league history.
RELATED: Tyreek Hill is excited about Tua Tagovailoa’s accuracy and ball placement
He was a two-time Unanimous All-American, 1968 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner, and 1967 national champion at the University of Southern California. He played ten seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills (1969-77) and San Francisco 49ers (1978-79). Simpson became more known for issues outside of football, but he’s one of the game’s greatest players. Media members have criticized Tagovailoa’s accuracy and ball placement, and many do not see him as an athletic quarterback.
Marquee radio shows listed Tagovailoa as a player that has nothing special about his game. The Dolphins’ new coaching staff has rallied around its young quarterback. Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier have put pieces around Tagovailoa this offseason, including wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The most explosive playmaker in the league is excited to catch passes from a former national champion.
Simpson said Hill may not be as explosive with Tagovailoa, but the speedster will remain a threat against defenses.
Simpson told fans on Twitter that Miami is going to be tough this year. He gave a special message to those worried about Tagovailoa.
OJ Simpson advocates for Tua Tagovailoa as he thrived with playmakers at Alabama like DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs among others.
(🎥 via @TheRealOJ32) pic.twitter.com/E7u7dt3iNV
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 25, 2022
“If you are worried about Tua’s arm, just remember he was throwing to Henry Ruggs and DeVonta Smith among others at Alabama, and he did not have any problems getting the ball to all of those guys,” Simpson said of Tagovailoa.
RELATED: Tyreek Hill says he’s the most excited to meet Jaylen Waddle
Tagovailoa had no issues distributing passes to weapons he had in Tuscaloosa. Seven different players caught 20+ passes in his first season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback in 2018. He assisted Jerry Jeudy to 68 receptions for 1,315 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tagovailoa helped Jeudy win the Fred Biletnikoff Award. Before suffering a hip injury in 2019, Tagovailoa completed 71.4 percent of his passes and tossed 33 touchdowns. He was a Heisman finalist and finished second in 2018.
Tagovailoa knows the pressure is on him to produce, but he’s ready for it.
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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.
