An Interview with Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa

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You can call quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa the face of Maryland football. The country knows Tagovailoa better than Terps’ Head Coach Mike Locksley because of his family pedigree. Tagovailoa’s brother, Tua, led Alabama to two collegiate national championships and now starts at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.

Taulia, a junior who transferred from Alabama after his freshman year, wants to reach his brother’s level of success. The younger Tagovailoa expects to catapult Maryland to the next level and one day play in the NFL.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Taulia has a cannon for an arm and good speed for a quarterback. He scored a 40-yard touchdown run against Minnesota last fall.

“There’s no doubt he has the skills to play at the next level,” says Locksley, a former Alabama offensive coordinator. “I see him in the mold of a lot of quarterbacks that are playing in the NFL.” 

Tagovailoa also had some memorable games passing in his first season as a starter. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-19 win over Penn State and hit on 26 of 35 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns during a 45-44 conquest of Minnesota. 

Tagovailoa graduated from Honolulu’s Saint Louis School, where he was a four-star recruit. He chose Alabama over scholarship offers from LSU, Florida, and Tennessee.

“One thing that jumps out at me the most is his ability to throw the ball accurately,” Locksley says. “He is also able to make big plays because of his feet.” 

We recently talked with Tagovailoa about his relationship with Tua, the prospects of leading Maryland to a winning season, and the influence Locksley has had on him. 


Your brother won two national championships at Alabama and is the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. Have you leaned on him for advice a lot over the years? 
I have always been learning from my brother since I became quarterback. I talk to him every day. He’s my role model and someone I look up to. He played in the same system we use now. I call and ask about certain plays we run. He always tells me to be myself, don’t listen to the outside noise, and continue to work hard. That’s what I have been doing. 

What was it like being on the same team for a year at Alabama?
It was a blessing. I wouldn’t take any of those days back. It was so great to play with him on the same team. Those memories last a lifetime. My family was very happy with it. They didn’t have to go to two different colleges to see us play. The just had to go to an Alabama game. It was pretty cool that we could get the entire family in one place.

Was it a sibling rivalry between you two growing up? 
It was a healthy competition. My dad pushed us every day, and I feel we made each other better every day. It was really a lot of fun playing football with him. How can you beat playing with your brother? 

Did you start playing center in youth football with your brother the team’s quarterback? 
Yeah, I was a little bigger when I was young. We had weight divisions, and I couldn’t make weight in my age group, so I had to play with my older brother and I could barely make weight in that age group. I was always the biggest in the weight groups, but the smallest on the team.

Is it true you wanted to play center because of your uncle? 
My uncle Derek played center at the University of Hawaii and he was coached by June Jones, who was like a legend on the West Coast. My uncle played in front of our hometown fans, and the games were packed all the time. I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I made the switch to quarterback when my brother went to high school.

What is your ultimate goal in football? Since your brother has made it in the NFL, does that give you extra motivation to do it? 
I want to win a Big Ten championship and a national championship. Everything my brother has accomplished. I believe I can do it. It’s crazy to think I will have the same opportunities to do it. I am trying to work hard every day to put myself in that position. It’s always been a goal of mine to play in the NFL. That’s why I compete to be one of the best.  

The Terps haven’t had a winning season since 2014? What gives you the optimism that you can help Maryland change that? 
It’s going to change. I feel we have a great team and we can do something really special. I feel our team is building an identity. We have put in the work. We are like a family now. We are getting stronger together. We have a lot of young players, and I think the biggest thing is that we have spring football. Last year, we didn’t get to do that. 

Can you talk about your growth as a player and where you are this year versus last year?
Last year, I was young. I had a lot of ups and downs, but I am grateful because I matured and it helped prepare for the 2021 season. Going into the season, I know what to expect now. I got my feet wet. So, I know it’s about preparing the right way. 

Can you describe your style of play? Do you like being known as a dual-threat quarterback? You seemed to be that type of player last year.
I want to be known as a pocket quarterback. I am working on my pocket presence. Staying in the pocket and beating people with my arm. I want to have the ability to extend plays and run if I need to. I need to continue to work on my speed because a lot of big plays can come out of that. I am just trying to make big plays. I worked on it all spring.  



Was coach Locksley a big reason why you transferred to Maryland? 
My family trusts that he wants the best for me and my mom wanted me to go somewhere I would be comfortable. I like his offensive scheme and the type of person he is. He was always there for Tua at Alabama. When he recruited me to Alabama, he was the same type of person. He tells you the truth. My brother had a lot of good things to say about him. 

What else attracted you to Maryland? Did a stacked depth chart at Alabama contribute to the move?
Yes. I want to make my own name and get my feet wet by playing. I don’t know how much playing time I would have gotten at Alabama. I want to build my own brand. I can do that with coach Locksley. 

Can you talk about your relationship with coach Locksley? What are some of the takeaways? 
I have learned a lot from coach Locksley. That I can handle being a starting quarterback in the Big Ten. That I need to have that mindset. We have a great relationship. I am with coach almost all the time, and I can call him up anytime of the day. Sometimes, on the weekends we just call each other and ask each other if we had seen a certain college game that played on TV and the read that quarterback had made. 


The Maryland Terrapins’ football season kicks off September 4th vs. West Virginia at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. For the season schedule and more information, visit umterps.com.