If you are a fan of college football, you may have heard of Tua Tagovailoa, the former Alabama quarterback who led the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2018 and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2020. But did you know that he has a younger brother who is also a quarterback at Maryland? His name is Taulia Tagovailoa, and he is one of the most exciting players in the Big Ten. In this article, we will explore the relationship between the two brothers, their family background, and their achievements on the field.
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The Tagovailoa Family: A Bond of Faith and Football
The Tagovailoa family is very close and religious. They moved from Hawaii to Alabama in 2017 to support Tua’s college career at Alabama. They later moved to Maryland in 2020 to follow Taulia’s transfer from Alabama to Maryland. According to ESPN, the family is of Samoan descent and follows the Christian faith. They pray together before every game and thank God for their blessings.
The family also shares a passion for football, especially the quarterback position. Tua and Taulia learned the game from their father, Galu, who was a quarterback in high school and college in American Samoa. Galu coached his sons from a young age and instilled in them a strong work ethic and a competitive spirit. He also taught them to respect their opponents and play with humility.
Tua and Taulia have two other siblings: an older brother named Taysia, who played linebacker at Thompson High School in Alabama, and a younger sister named Taylor, who is a volleyball player at Thompson.
Tua Tagovailoa: A Star at Alabama and Miami
Tua Tagovailoa was one of the most decorated quarterbacks in college football history. He played for Alabama from 2017 to 2019, winning the national championship as a freshman in 2018. He also won several individual awards, including the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, and the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2018. He holds several Alabama records, such as the highest career passing efficiency rating (199.4), the most passing touchdowns in a season (43), and the most total touchdowns in a season (48).
Tua was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He made his debut in Week 6 against the New York Jets, replacing Ryan Fitzpatrick in garbage time. He became the starter in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams, leading the Dolphins to a 28-17 win. He finished his rookie season with 1,814 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions, helping the Dolphins to a 10-6 record.
Taulia Tagovailoa: A Breakout Season at Maryland
Taulia Tagovailoa followed his brother’s footsteps and joined Alabama as a freshman in 2019. However, he did not see much playing time behind Tua and Mac Jones, appearing in five games and throwing for 100 yards and one touchdown.
In May 2020, Taulia announced that he would be transferring to Maryland, where he would reunite with his former offensive coordinator at Alabama, Mike Locksley. He received a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately for the Terrapins.
Taulia had a breakout season at Maryland in 2021, starting in all 13 games and earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. He led Maryland to its first winning season since 2014 and its first bowl bid since 2016, beating West Virginia, Howard, Illinois, Kent State, Indiana, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech. He broke several Maryland records, such as the single-season and all-time records for completions (314) and passing yards (3,804), and tied the single-season record for touchdowns (28). He also won the Pinstripe Bowl MVP after throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia Tech.
The Future of the Tagovailoa Brothers
Tua and Taulia Tagovailoa have both shown that they are more than just brothers. They are talented quarterbacks who have made their own names at their respective schools. They are also proud members of the Tagovailoa family, who support each other through thick and thin.
The future looks bright for both brothers, as they continue to pursue their dreams of playing football at the highest level. Tua will enter his third season with the Dolphins in 2022, hoping to lead them to the playoffs and beyond. Taulia will return to Maryland for his senior season in 2023, aiming to improve his draft stock and break more records.
No matter what happens next, one thing is certain: the Tagovailoa brothers will always have each other’s backs.
