Tua Tagovailoa: ‘I Have To Earn My Respect’

Tua Tagovailoa, one of college football’s most hotly anticipated prospects, has finally found a place in the NFL.

The former Alabama quarterback was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 5th overall pick on Thursday night. 

The Dolphins will hope that Tua Tagovailoa will blossom into their franchise quarterback. Before a hip injury last season, he was projected to be the No.1 pick. When you look at his college performance, it’s easy to see why.

Tua Tagovailoa is the Alabama record-holder for completion percentage, total touchdowns, touchdowns in a season and touchdowns in a single game. He helped Alabama to the 2017 NCAA National Championship. As well as that, he won the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards in 2018.

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However, Tua knows that he hasn’t proved anything in the NFL yet. 

“It’s a different ball game,” Tagovailoa said. 

“What I did in college can’t translate to the NFL. It’s a clean slate. I have to go out there and earn my respect.”

The Dolphins had a subtle upward trajectory in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Now they’ve landed Tua they also have the chance to solidify their credentials. The man himself agrees.

“Now that I am a part of the organization, it can only go up from here,” Tagovailoa said.

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The giddy romanticism of draft night wasn’t lost on him, either.

“Man, it feels awesome. It’s very emotional for me and my family,” he said. “It hasn’t just been a dream of mine, it’s been my entire family’s dream, and I am blessed to say that I carry all of them.”

Tagovailoa is projected to get a 4-year, $30 million contract with a signing bonus of around $20 million.