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Writer's pictureAhmed Ghafir
Dec 22, 2023

Mike Locksley suggests Taulia Tagovailoa could enter transfer portal

The Taulia Tagovailoa era is over in College Park, but head coach Mike Locksley noted that the star Maryland quarterback could have another route available to him. “I’ve addressed and kind of felt that way the last couple of years and so, when he came and sit down and made the decision that he didn’t want to play in the bowl game in an effort to pursue future opportunities, whether it’d be the NFL, whether it’d be transferring if in fact there were more time available,” Locksley said on 105.7 on Thursday. “It was a pretty easy conversation because the mutual respect was there. He’s done enough and has done what we needed him to do for our program and we’re very thankful, but at the same time we’ve also given him a huge platform to showcase the abilities that we all come to love.” Locksley’s mention of a potential transfer “if in fact there were more time available” confirms the rumor that’s surfaced, and provides credence as to why Taulia as been linked to Miami (FL) by The Athletic as a potential portal option for the ‘Canes this offseason. The connection to Miami is understandable given his older brother, Tua, currently plays for the Dolphins. The importance of family has always been evident for the Tagovailoas after becoming routine fans for games at SECU Stadium. But after playing in five games in his lone season with Alabama then four seasons in College Park, the question is valid: does Tagovailoa actually have eligibility left? According to Pete Nakos of On3, Tagovailoa would have to apply for a waiver to be eligible for another season of college football. Of course, the news of another potential season comes in the same week that Tyrese Chambers proved anything is possible after bypassing the NFL and electing to enter his name into the transfer portal. Both Maryland and Alabama would need to sign off on a waiver, and there are also questions as to whether both schools would ultimately do so. A departure elsewhere would provide one final twist to Tagovailoa’s perception in an accomplished career in College Park after setting every single-season and career passing record. The news comes roughly nine months after Tagovailoa reportedly turned down $1.5 million to transfer elsewhere, with longtime buzz indicating that it was Auburn, Maryland’s bowl opponent, who was lurking. Locksley elaborated on the official end of the Tagovailoa era earlier this week. “If you have attachment issues, you better get over it quick. And I used to be one of those guys that had attachment issues. I hated leaving. I hate people leaving me but this is the world we live in, this generation…is so used to swiping left and starting over and going to the next page that maybe coach Locks needs to not be as relationship-based and just become more transactional, which that’s the landscape of it. He handled the right way. Great family, great people. He’s got some decisions to make.” Maryland will now turn to Billy Edwards Jr and Cam Edge in next weekend’s bowl game before MJ Morris joins the competition in the spring. “I think sometimes because of how we use Billy that maybe you guys think that oh, Billy is just a runner, but Billy throws the ball really well. He’s a traditional pocket quarterback but he also has some sneaky athleticism that I think catches people off guard so I've got all the confidence in the world in Billy but I also don’t want to leave Cam Edge out of there. Cam’s been practicing as the third. I think you’ll see both of them in the game as an opportunity for us, like I said, evaluate our quarterback situation heading into next season.” https://open.spotify.com/episode/06VFLB2Tk2Ol2ijqunjTkC?si=2a0252c66a71416a Related Links

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