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Alabama Football: 7 True Freshmen and 2 JUCO’s Likely To Play in 2017

By Ronald Evans

Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleaders fly the flags after their team scored against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleaders fly the flags after their team scored against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Tua Tagovailoa: Dual-Threat QB – True Freshman, Early Enrollee

We Alabama fans have a long-standing habit of anointing backup QB’s as “Warrior/Saviors.” Such practice is eerily similar to a Biblical Second Coming. Even before arriving on campus in January, some in the Alabama fanbase wanted Tua to leapfrog Jalen Hurts at the first spring practice.

His full name is Tuanigamanuolepola Tagovailoa. Lucky for Uncle Verne that he decided to retire before Tua hit the SEC gridirons. Tua was pursued by every top west coast program, plus LSU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, North Carolina, Louisville, and Nebraska. Oregon had perhaps the best chance to sign him since Tua has been mentored by the Hawaiian legend, Marcus Mariotta.

Tua is a devout Christian, a member of an extended family that worships together every day. His Grandfather, Seu is the person Tua credits with inspiring both his spiritualism and passion for football.

When Tua was growing up, Seu would tell him the story of the lion and the gazelle. As Alabama fans, we know that story well because it is one of Nick Saban’s favorites. The actual quote is from Christopher McDougall’s book, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen:

"“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”"

It is no wonder that Tua and Saban bonded so closely during recruitment.

Take a look at some Tua highlights:

With Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones, Alabama has the best quarterback trio in college football. Can Tua start as a true freshman? That remains to be seen and watching the development of all three of the Tide quarterbacks is going to be a joy.

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