Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will return for his senior season, he introduced Wednesday. In three seasons because the Terrapins’ starter, Tagovailoa has elevated this system whereas setting a number of college information. He’ll have an opportunity in 2023 to additional solidify himself as the most efficient quarterback in Maryland’s historical past and to assist the Terps attain new heights.
Maryland
QB Taulia Tagovailoa will return to Maryland for his senior season
Tagovailoa grew to become Maryland’s all-time main passer throughout the 2022 season. After three years with Coach Michael Locksley in Faculty Park, Tagovailoa has tallied 7,879 passing yards and 51 passing touchdowns, each college information. Tagovailoa’s best season got here in 2021, when he set the single-season information for passing yards (3,860) and completions (328) and tied the report for passing touchdowns (26). Tagovailoa was restricted by a knee damage and missed a sport throughout the 2022 season. He completed the marketing campaign with 3,008 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
“Who knew a child from Hawaii may discover a dwelling in Maryland,” Tagovailoa stated in his announcement on Instagram. “However that’s precisely what I’ve discovered. … My aim coming right here to Maryland was to assist Coach Locks flip this program round. After successful back-to-back bowl video games, I consider every part goes in the correct route. However we’re not performed but. I’m not performed but.”
Tagovailoa earned second-team all-Large Ten honors in 2022. His steadiness and manufacturing has been a major enhance to Maryland’s program, which had been stricken by accidents and instability at quarterback within the decade earlier than Tagovailoa arrived as a switch from Alabama. The 2023 season will likely be Tagovailoa’s remaining 12 months of eligibility. After starting his faculty profession in 2019, Tagovailoa is considered one of many gamers who has taken benefit of the fifth season of eligibility granted to athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tagovailoa led the Terps to an 8-5 season in 2022, probably the most wins this system has tallied since 2010. Maryland has steadily improved since Tagovailoa arrived and earned back-to-back bowl berths for the primary time since 2013-14.
Tagovailoa didn’t begin in Maryland’s bowl win over North Carolina State. Locksley indicated that he benched Tagovailoa for the opening drive for a minor violation of staff guidelines. Locksley stated afterward, “Typically you’ve acquired to do issues to ship a message.” In a departure from typical circumstances, Maryland didn’t make Tagovailoa obtainable for interviews after the sport.
Tagovailoa can have a largely new solid of main vast receivers subsequent season. Dontay Demus Jr., Rakim Jarrett and Jacob Copeland have introduced they’ll head to the NFL draft. Jeshaun Jones, who ended the 2022 season as Maryland’s main receiver with 557 yards, has a 12 months of eligibility remaining, however he has not introduced whether or not he’ll keep at Maryland. The Terps may find yourself relying closely on much less skilled vast receivers, together with Tai Felton, Octavian Smith Jr., Leon Haughton Jr. and Shaleak Knotts. Maryland’s workers has additionally signed Florida Worldwide switch vast receiver Tyrese Chambers, a Baltimore native who had 1,618 receiving yards prior to now two seasons, and West Virginia vast receiver Kaden Prather, who had 501 receiving yards in 2022.
The Terps additionally misplaced standout tight finish CJ Dippre, who transferred to Alabama. Redshirt sophomore Corey Dyches, a good finish who had 494 receiving yards in 2022, ought to be again for subsequent season.
Tagovailoa, whose brother Tua performs for the Miami Dolphins, transferred to Maryland after the 2019 season due to the household’s relationship with Locksley, who coached Tua at Alabama. Maryland offensive coordinator Dan Enos additionally labored with Tua as Alabama’s quarterbacks coach in 2018. Taulia Tagovailoa began his faculty profession with the Crimson Tide, showing in 5 video games as a backup. Tagovailoa’s choice to switch performed a important position within the enchancment of Maryland’s program within the years that adopted.