Four-Star Dual-Threat QB Tua Tagovailoa Commits to Alabama

Four-star dual-threat quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced his verbal commitment to Alabama on Monday night.

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What could make Alabama coaches (and fans) celebrate on a Monday? Landing another piece, and arguably the largest, in the 2017 recruiting class in four-star dual-threat quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (number two rated dual-threat quarterback in the country according to 247 Sports) will certainly aid in the celebration.

The 6-foot-1, 210 pound left-handed quarterback hails from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because they have graced the college football world with some talent. The most notable of that talent is Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Tagovailoa has been deemed “The Next Mariota” by multiple recruiting sources, as well as college coaches that have been after him since his sophomore year in high school.

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Tagovailoa posted some solid stats in his brief varsity high school career (two seasons), throwing for 5,515 yards with 57 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions. He ended his career at St. Louis with a 126.8 QB rating, while also gaining 1,057 yards on the ground with 11 touchdowns.  Tua’s recruiting was mainly based on the west coast until Alabama and Lane Kiffin offered him and after which, offers started flying in from all over the country including the SEC. He held 14 offers in all.

Tagovailoa held SEC offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. He visited all three in one month and limited his interest down to Alabama, Ole Miss, UCLA, and USC, eventually choosing the Tide after visiting Tuscaloosa in late April.  Tagovailoa proclaimed that the hospitality people showed him in the south was a big factor in his decision and that the people in Tuscaloosa were among the nicest, which meant a lot to him because that is where he will be living for the next 3-4 years.

Adding the commitment of Tagovailoa to the 2017 class is huge for the Crimson Tide, especially after losing Jake Fromm. Fromm flipped his commitment from Alabama to Georgia in early March.  Fromm flipping his commitment opened the doors for Lane Kiffin and Tosh Lupoi, who are Tagovailoa’s main recruiters, to offer the left-handed Hawaiian quarterback. He is thought to be a college-ready starter immediately, but will more than likely redshirt his first year in Tuscaloosa with Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts already on campus and battling for the starting job.

Nick Saban is known for wanting to take a quarterback in every recruiting class and adding the number two rated dual-threat quarterback in the country puts the Crimson Tide in good hands for years to come under center.

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Welcome to Alabama, Tua, and Roll Tide!