Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland
Size:
Height: 5’10” | Weight: 200 lbs
Accomplishments:
Big Ten All-Time Passing Leader • Second Team All-Big Ten (2023, 2022) • William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist (2023) • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2021, 2020)
“Taulia Tagovailoa is an athletic and confident passer who isn’t shy to threaten even the tightest of windows.”
Strengths:
Extremely confident thrower
Accuracy
Touch up the seam
Creativity
Anticipation vs. blitz
Concerns:
Frame
Progressions
Vertical velocity
Film Analysis:
Taulia Tagovailoa is an athletic and confident passer who isn’t shy to threaten even the tightest of windows. Tagovailoa aligned exclusively in the shotgun in the Maryland offense. Pre-snap communication is evident. Clean mechanics to work into dropback where his head remains on a swivel. Quick to work to check-down if coverage dictates to take the underneath shot. Light feet in the pocket. Arm strength is average, but accuracy pops at times, allowing Tagovailoa to fit throws into keyhole-sized windows.
Tagovailoa identifies blitzes well and will deliver clean, accurate passes with bodies bearing down. Identifies vertical shots quickly (Penn State) and will allow his WRs to make plays on the football. Throws a gorgeous shallow back-shoulder. Tagovailoa can panic at times in the pocket, however, where ball security isn’t prioritized and he will scamper to attempt to find open grass.
Most success will be found within the shallow to intermediate areas as the ball flutters past the 25-yard threshold. Extremely productive when in rhythm, especially in play-action. Good ball handling to sell the mesh point and is quick to flip his eyes around to read the defense. Little wasted movement in his mechanics, but utilizing his core and lower half at a higher rate will create an increased amount of torque, and thus, a higher amount of RPMs on the football to threaten different depths. Not a ton of pop in his arm.
Tagovailoa’s creativity outside of structure is evident but he remains an average athlete who will not pull away from second and third-level NFL defenders. Will keep eyes up outside of the pocket and rip throws without hesitation off-platform.
Overall, Tagovailoa will not shy away from pushing the football to a variety of depths against different coverages. He is a WR’s best friend as he trusts his skill players to come down with the football. Projectable as a depth piece inside a QB room. Teams that prioritize a gun-slinger type of mentality under center will take a shot on the former Maryland standout.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Exposures: Ohio State (2023), Nebraska (2023), Penn State (2023)
