Heisman debate: Making the case for Tua Tagovailoa and for Kyler Murray
The Case for Tua Tagovailoa
Whenever Tua Tagovailoa took over for Jalen Hurts in the second half of the National Championship Game last year, leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to a comeback victory, it was clear that the Hawaii native was a special talent. After winning the starting job for the 2018 season, however, we may not have realized still just how special of a player that he’s been this season.
Tagovailoa has been close to perfect in the 2018 season, leading his team to a fittingly perfect regular season record in the process. That flirtation with perfection clearly bolsters the case that Tua should win the 2018 Heisman Trophy.
Statistically, the sophomore quarterback has checked every box. He’s completed 70.3 percent of his passes for 3,189 yards, 36 touchdowns and only two interceptions, even putting an exclamation mark on his season with a six-touchdown performance in the Iron Bowl. What’s more, Tagovailoa has also found his way into the end zone five times this season with his legs.
Even more impressive is how Tua has put up these stats. The Crimson Tide quarterback hasn’t been putting up his video-game-like numbers in excessively dominant fashion. He’s seen the fourth quarter just twice this season, and both of those times came against high-level SEC competition. His numbers aren’t at the level of other candidates because he literally hasn’t been on the field as much because he’s overwhelmed opponents so emphatically when on the field.
What’s more, the narrative is there with Tua. From the moment he touched the field in Atlanta in the title game, it was clear that a new era was underway in Tuscaloosa and he’s proven that time and again. This is no longer a Nick Saban team that runs the ball 100 times per game and wins with defense. They are a juggernaut on offense now that makes explosive plays with ease, which comes off the arm of Tagovailoa.
There have been no slip-ups for the sophomore quarterback, even when he was playing through a knee injury late in the season. The leader of the best team in college football has been near perfect, which is a great case to make for a Heisman winner.