College Football Hall of Famer Vince Young is a big fan of Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence.
It was 13 years ago when Vince Young led an underdog Texas Longhorns team against the heavily favored USC Trojans that were the dynasty of the time. Young slew the giant with a performance for the ages that cemented his status as a future Hall of Famer. On the day, Young was named as part of the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame, he spoke about the two quarterbacks playing for Alabama and Clemson in Monday night’s National Championship Game.
Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Clemson freshman Trevor Lawrence are the two biggest names and most important players in the title game, and it’s something Young is all too familiar with having been in the same situation.
Vince Young on what makes Tua Tagovailoa so great
Tagovailoa finished as the Heisman runner-up, something he has in common with Young who finished second to Reggie Bush in 2005. Tagovailoa projects as the top quarterback in next year’s draft, something Young experienced when he was the first quarterback and the No. 3 overall pick after he came out after his junior year. He’s a big fan of the Alabama sophomore.
“He’s a tough quarterback,” Young said. “You can’t phase him. You don’t see him get rattled too much and his team really believes in him, so you can’t really coach those type of intangibles that he has. The main thing that I like about him, he’s got great arm strength. He’s just a special kid. I’m happy for him and very proud of him.”
Young’s advice to Trevor Lawrence on slaying the giant
Young’s National Championship Game experience is similar to what the true freshman Clemson quarterback, Lawrence, is experiencing. Young took on a juggernaut as a junior when his team beat USC, but Lawrence is trying to slay a giant as a freshman. Young has been on this big stage with all the cameras and eyes on him and wants Lawrence to remember he’s here for a reason.
“Just take it all in, and try not to get too involved with the media man,” Young said. “Just try to continue to be around your players, around your coaching staff. Really pay attention to what your coaches are saying to you about how to prepare yourself for the game. Don’t try to change anything. I mean, ’cause you’re the starting quarterback and you’re in this position for a reason. A lot of young guys that I have an opportunity to talk to, even Jalen Hurts, a lot of these younger quarterbacks, I always tell them, “Don’t forget about applauding yourself.”
You actively have been doing good for yourself, so be happy and proud about what you’re doing. Don’t forget about that as you go into this game, because you got a whole group of guys, and coaching staff, as well as the fan base, a lot of people believe in you, so take that into the game. That’s something that can fuel you to keep you going from what you’re doing today.
I’m just happy for him. I know it’s a tough situation for him. But at the same time, he’s just got to continue to believe in himself, and then also, pat himself on the back and say, “I’m very proud of you.” Not a lot of people can be playing in the National Championship right now, at his age right now. I know that much.”
National Championship Game prediction
When Young played in his National Championship Game, his team was a decided underdog with few giving Texas a chance to knock off USC. That’s not quite the same for this year’s title game, but Alabama is a 5.5-point favorite and is 2-1 vs. Clemson when they’ve met in the Playoff the last three years.
“It’s tough to make a decision because I have good relationships with guys on both sides of the ball, Young said. “I’m very proud of [Clemson’s] Christian Wilkins, the things that he’s doing at defensive tackle. I had an opportunity to be around him. I like the underdog guys. I always go with underdogs, ’cause I ‘ve been an underdog all my life, so I’m picking Clemson. But I have a lot of respect for Nick Saban and Alabama, ’cause a lot of people hate winners. I don’t know why people hate winners, but I’m very impressed with everything he has done with Roll Tide down there in Alabama.”
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— Young is working with Panini and their trading card products.
“I’ve been with Panini for a while, Young said. Since I came out of college, when I was in college, I’ve been always very, very honored to be a part of what they have going on. They really love the players. They really do care about the players. They do some special things for us with the cards and things like that. But the main thing I really like about them is how they interact with the fans. That’s awesome that they do that, and I’m happy to be a part of everything they have going on, and I’m glad to be working with them as well.”