National Signing Day 2017: 5 recruits with No. 1 NFL Draft pick potential
Tua Tagovailoa
QB, Alabama
- High School: St. Louis High (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- 247Sports Composite Ranking: 32, No. 1 dual threat QB
Alabama quarterbacks haven’t had much success in the NFL under Nick Saban, but the head coach seems to be changing his offensive philosophy, ever so slightly. Jalen Hurts was proof of that in 2016 as the freshman quarterback beat out some guys from the 2015 and 2014 classes and showcased his dual-threat ability.
Tua Tagovailoa could be an even more talented dual-threat quarterback and he will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow Hawaii-native who became a Heisman-winning quarterback, Marcus Mariota. The former Oregon quarterback also went to St. Louis in Honolulu but the main difference between the two is the height difference.
In fact, Tagovailoa may only be held out of top spot consideration in his NFL Draft year because he currently stands about 6-foot-1 while Mariota was 6-foot-4. Also unlike Mariota, Tagovailoa was an Army All-American and received more national interest out of high school.
Although he’s undersized, he has blazing speed, a good pocket presence and quick feet. He can get out of trouble in the snap of a finger and has the innate ability to feel the pocket collapsing before it’s too late. Tagovailoa has decent touch on the ball while throwing on the run and his big body is tough to take down in the open field.
There’s a chance he could grow an inch or two before he’s drafted, but he does have the potential to jump to that top spot.