Maryland fans got the long-awaited news that they hoped for this offseason when quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa announced his return for the 2023 season. It wasn’t always a foregone conclusion that Taulia would be back for a fourth season, but Wednesday’s announcement rejuvenated the fanbase with spring ball around the corner. https://soundcloud.com/user-881740103/taulia-tagovailoa-hes-back “I'm very excited about coming back. It took a lot because I had to talk to my family about what to do next and I always try to get answers from them and stuff, how they feel about certain things and stuff like that,” Tagovailoa said on Hear the Turtle. “We had deep conversations and stuff like that and I felt there's some unfinished business we have over here. Everything while I do have the opportunity to play college football, some of the goals that I have for myself, I feel like it hasn't been reached so I feel like I owe it to the community, I owe it to this program and also to myself to finish and try to reach the goals that I set up for myself.” Taulia’s return gives him an opportunity to further cement himself among the top quarterbacks to ever wear the Maryland uniform. After earning the best career completion percentage of any Big Ten quarterback all-time and already holding career records for passing yards (7,879), passing touchdowns (51) and total touchdowns (59) among five other categories, Tauila also paved the way for the first eight-win season in 12 years and consecutive bowl wins for the first time in 20 years. Head coach Mike Locksley was in daily contact with Taulia and his camp to ensure he had his veteran quarterback in the fold for another season to lead the offense. From a relationship that began during Locksley’s time at Alabama, Taulia will now headline year five of the Locksley era in College Park. “I think my relationship with coach Locks had a big part in why I'm coming back and stuff like that. I know that he's gonna continue to help me grow as a person and as a player. He always teaches me about the importance of being a quarterback. It's not just a feeling, it's something that has to be in you that you do every day and stuff like that. So I think the first time I committed, it's the same reason why I feel like I should stay back because coach Locks has had a goal, he has a vision for where he sees this program going and I'm right there with him and we both feel like we're not done with this.” Taulia’s return headlines the latest boost to Maryland’s offense for the 2023 season. After entering the new year with one portal receiver in Tyrese Chambers already in the fold, Maryland has since added commitments from offensive linemen Gottlieb Ayedze and Corey Bullock along with wide receiver Kaden Prather. Maryland could still likely return veteran receiver Jeshaun Jones to pair with Tai Felton, Octavian Smith and Shaleak Knotts, but the Terps returning firepower still centers around its star quarterback. “Excited to get back with them. I think this offseason I think we gotta do extra, we gotta do more. Now those young guys are older guys now just because they have experience so I think we gotta have more leadership around the receiver room, the running back room. Which there is, but we gotta be more disciplined and the things that we do and we gotta continue to bond together, but I can't wait.” The younger Terps have been eager to get the extra reps in once Taulia returned to campus. “They're already hitting me up about when I'm coming back to Maryland. They're all here. They didn't go home, none of them went home. They're ready to work and these guys are young and they're hungry and I can't wait to get back to work with them.” Related Links Portal tackle Gottlieb Ayedze transferring to Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa returning for 2023 Three questions for Maryland football this offseason Maryland loses assistant to SEC foe Familiar connections to Maryland draw four star’s attention (+)
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