Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa could enter the transfer portal as he seeks a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility, coach Mike Locksley told 105.7 “The Fan” in Baltimore on Friday.
According to Jeff Ermann of Inside MD Sports, Miami is seen as a potential landing spot if the NCAA grants Tagovailoa an extra season of eligibility.
This season for Maryland, Tagovailoa completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,377 yards and 25 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. In his five seasons of college football at Alabama and Maryland, he has thrown for 11,356 yards and 77 touchdowns to 37 interceptions, while completing 67.1% of his throws.
“When he came to sit down and then he made the decision that he didn’t want to play in the bowl game in an effort to pursue future opportunities, whether it be the NFL, whether it be transferring, if in fact there were more time available, it was a pretty easy conversation because the mutual respect was there,” Locksley said.
On paper, it appears that Tagovailoa has exhausted his eligibility. He has used the free year due to COVID in 2020, and is not eligible for a medical redshirt for any of his years in college.
If he does not earn a waiver, Tagovailoa has the arm talent to make his way onto an NFL roster, whether it be a late-round draft pick or as an undrafted free agent.