The younger brother of Tua Tagovailoa is leaning on the Miami Dolphins star for advice as the fellow quarterback heads toward being a possible selection in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
“Just going through this process, my brother just told me to just be myself and enjoy this process,” Taulia Tagovailoa said. “Not to really stress about anything. It’s all in God’s plan and with the NFL, obviously, it’s a different league, it’s not college. Everyone’s, everything’s faster, quicker, everyone’s bigger, stronger. The biggest thing in the NFL that he told me about is just mental. It’s all about making sure your head is straight and you have to be ahead of the game. It’s really the smarts that can give you your advantage.”
Taulia Tagovailoa completed his college career at the University of Maryland after his request to play an additional season was denied in January.
In a recent seven-round mock draft posted by ESPN, Taulia Tagovailoa was not included among the 257 total picks. He also is not included among the top 10 quarterbacks in the draft rankings of ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
It is thought that his small stature of 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds might make him more difficult to project as an NFL quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa is listed at 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds on the Dolphins’ official roster.
However, Taulia Tagovailoa’s production cannot be denied, as he is the Big Ten’s all-time leader in passing yards. By way of comparison, conference rival J.J. McCarthy from the University of Michigan is projected to be a possible top-five selection when the draft begins on April 25. In addition, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State University was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This draft could in fact become a historic one as the top three picks are expected to be quarterbacks. Top prospects include Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, with McCarthy also a possible option there or very soon after. The Chicago Bears (No. 1), Washington Commanders (No. 2) and New England Patriots (No. 3) currently hold the top three selections.
Taulia Tagovailoa and Tua Tagovailoa actually were teammates at the University of Alabama along with Mac Jones for one season. The Dolphins hold the No. 21 overall pick in the first round and No. 55 overall selection in the second round of the draft.
While they are very unlikely to pick Taulia Tagovailoa with either of those early choices, they conceivably could use one of their later-round picks (one fifth, two sixth and one seventh) on him. Or if he isn’t selected at all, they could sign him as a free agent after the draft if they wish to reunite the brothers.
