A Solid 2020 NFL Draft Bet: Getting to Know Tagovailoa’s Profile
There is no doubt that Tua Tagovailoa’s name will ring a bell to any football enthusiast who hears it. The name has been making noise in the sports industry, even before the NFL draft 2020 started. Earlier this year, NFL scouts have been eyeing Tagovailoa, arising speculations that he will be an early favorite in the draft pick. However, it seems that luck isn’t in favor of Tua as he suffered different injuries every season.
Will this affect his playing career? What awaits Tagovailoa in the upcoming NFL draft along with his odds value for the upcoming NFL draft betting online? These are just some of the few concerning questions and topics, especially when the NFL draft is fast approaching. Can he still make it?
Before we answer those, let us take a quick look at his collegiate season performance and what took place before he suffered his injuries.
Tagovailoa as Alabama Quarterback
Playing for the University of Alabama, the Samoan descent Tua Tagovailoa helped the Alabama Crimson Tide reach the National Championship in the year 2017 and 2018. Crimson Tide won the championship in 2017 and awarded Tagovailoa as the MVP of the season. He also earned multiple trophies, including the Maxwell and Walter Camp Award in 2018.
If we’re talking about a pure passer quarterback, then you have it with Tua Tagovailoa. Standing at 6 foot 1 and weighing 218-pound, the lefty Tagovailoa is a remarkable quarterback.
Others even say that he stands next to LSU’s Joe Burrow when it comes to QB capabilities and abilities in the field. With a high standard in physical and mental traits, Tagovailoa is one elite football player in his class. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN even said he would pick Tagovailoa over Burrow.
A few of the remarkable traits Tagovailoa has are his elite accuracy, smooth delivery, fast eyes, good arm strength, and properly executed coordination to his receivers. With all these remarks, he led Alabama through a strong win against Mississippi State 35-7 just right before he suffered his latest injuries.
Tagovailoa’s Playing Statistics
During Tagovailoa’s collegiate season, when he started playing for Alabama in 2017, he was already showing top-player potential. He played as a backup to Jalen Hurts, where he finished a 6-of-9 for 64 yards. Tagovailoa completed his first career passing touchdown, which is a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. In 2017, he started eight games during the SEC conference with 11 touchdowns and 49 completions.
In 2018, Tagovailoa started all 15 games that helped the Crimson Tide win the National Championship. Tagavailoa finished the season strong with 245 completion, 355 attempts, 3966 yards, and 43 touchdowns. These statistics gain him an MVP award and other recognitions.
There is no doubt that Tagovailoa is indeed a top-player. His latest statistics and record shows his elite playing style that could be of use for the upcoming NFL draft. Evaluators and team coaches are taking a careful look at his statistics during his collegiate years.
However, it is not all about the data. They will also have to consider Tagavailoa’s medical history.
Tagovailoa and his Injuries
Unfortunately, a top-caliber player like Tagovailoa is very prone to acquiring injuries. Even though football is a contact sport, it seems that Tagovailoa is unlucky as he suffered multiple injuries in his entire collegiate season.
In his latest game for Alabama against Mississippi State, Tagovailoa sustained a dislocated hip, posterior wall fracture, and a broken nose that caused a concussion. That’s three injuries in one game, and not all QB’s in college history underwent such an unfortunate experience.
But before the multiple injuries happened, Tagovailoa already injured his right ankle and got surgery. Other than that, he also broke his wrist in spring, got it fixed, yet broke it again. In the previous season, he got a sprained left ankle, together with his right knee, and earned a broken index finger.
What awaits for Tagovailoa in the NFL Draft 2020?
With all the injuries he suffered, Tagovailoa is still a top 5 pick for the upcoming draft. Many experts highly consider his elite playing prowess, and his name made it to the mock drafts. It is reported that his dislocated hip surgery has been a success. With a complete rehab, he can go back to playing and eventually make it to the draft.
Tagovailoa is considered an NFL wild card and a complete mystery. Fans and experts alike couldn’t wait to find out if he gets drafted, or will be a hard pass this year.
Takeaway
A top-player and an ace quarterback, Tua Tagavailoa played and finished his entire collegiate season with flying colors. Even with all the unfortunate injuries he suffered, Tagovailoa is still an exceptional player in the field. If he will make it to the NFL draft, it all falls down on the teams and the coaches’ decisions. Fans and spectators cannot wait for the final results of the draft.