Taulia Tagovailoa ranked among top transfers from portal era

After setting the Big Ten all-time passing record and rewriting Maryland football’s record book, it was no surprise that quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa ranked among the most impactful transfers of the portal era. Tagovailoa checked in at 18th on ESPN’s list, ahead of players like Will Levis, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Christian Gonzalez, among others.

“It’s rare that a transfer is around long enough to set career records in a major conference (especially with a shortened 2020 involved), but Tagovailoa came to College Park after a redshirt season at Bama, quickly landed in the lineup and ripped off three 3,000-yard bowl seasons for a team that had bowled just three times in the previous 10 seasons,” ESPN’s Bill Connelly wrote.

Taulia, who closed his Maryland career as a second-team All-Big Ten selection on Wednesday, arrived in College Park following the 2019 season after spending one year at Alabama. The decision to transfer was made in large part due to the Tagovailoa’s family familiarity with Terp head coach Mike Locksley.

Lia had a rough first start in 2020, as he started the year throwing three interceptions against Northwestern. However, he followed that with a comeback win over Minnesota and a blowout at Penn State. The Terps ended up only playing five games, though, due to COVID-19.

Lia’s second season proved to be his best season statistically, as he broke or tied multiple school records, including completions, passing yards, and touchdowns. He and the Terps also won their first bowl game since 2010, defeating Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl.

He followed that in 2022 by breaking the school record for career passing yards and touchdowns. Despite missing some time with injuries, Tagovailoa helped Maryland win their second straight bowl game, this time against NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, and their first eight-win season since 2010.

Lia decided to come back to College Park for his senior season, even after Auburn offered seven figures during spring ball in 2023. Yet again, Lia spurned other suitors to become the most accomplished quarterback in the history of the program.

“I know he’d be the first to tell you that he didn’t do it by himself. He’s had a bunch of teammates along the way that have contributed to it, but for a guy that came here under the shadow of a huge last name to make his own mark here at Maryland, but also in the Big Ten I think speaks volumes of the type of character that this kid has and I’m really proud of what he’s done in helping us elevate this program,” head coach Mike Locksley said of his star quarterback.

Tagovailoa holds every career and single-season record in program history after posting three consecutive 3,000-yard passing seasons.

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