PSO Scouting Report: QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: QB

Hometown: Ewa Beach, HI

School: Alabama

Class: Junior

Age: 22

Height: 6’0″ (3%) | Weight: 217 lbs (30%)

Hands: 10” (80%) | Arms: 30.5” (8%)

Bench: N/A | 40-YD: N/A

Facts to Know

2018 Heisman Trophy runner-up, Consensus All-American, SEC Offensive Player of the Year
Maxwell, Walter Camp Award winner (2018)
1st-Team All-SEC (2018), 2nd-Team All-SEC (2019)
78.8% adjusted completion % in 2019 (7th in FBS)
Owns the Alabama career passing TD record (87, only 11 INTs)
Elite 90+ overall PFF grade last 2 seasons

Physical Tools

Pros

Terrific body control and balance
Pinpoint accuracy at all levels of the field
Mobile but not a run-first QB — twitchier than fast
Good velocity on shorter throws
Quality throwing motion and quick release
Uses various arm angles to throw around defenders
Large hands — 10″ (80th percentile)

Cons

Average (but adequate) arm strength
Lower-end of the size threshold (6’0″, 217 lbs)
Will hip and other lower-body injuries affect his mobility?

Grade: B+

Game Film

Pros

Keeps calm and collected under pressure and in big moments
Terrific pre- and post-snap processing speed
Throws with excellent anticipation, often before the route even breaks
Quality decision-maker — “bad” plays are few and far between
Understands how his eyes can manipulate defenders
Dissects zone coverages and blitzes at a very high level
Great pocket presence — comfortable stepping up and improvising with his legs
Extends plays with his legs
Lack of elite arm strength has never held him back

Cons

Relatively few tight-window throws (plenty of easy throws) thanks to talented WR corps
Can get a little panicky if his first or second read isn’t there

Grade: A

Production

Pros

2nd-Team All-SEC (2019)
Maxwell, Walter Camp Award winner, Heisman runner-up (2018)
Consensus All-American, 1st-Team All-SEC, SEC OPOY (2018)
CFP National Championship Offensive MVP (2017)
Alabama’s all-time leader in career pass TDs (87)
Consecutive 90+ overall PFF grades
10.9 YPA when blitzed (64.9%)
78.8% adjusted completion rate (7th in FBS)
Just 6 turnover-worthy throws (T-4th)
Low pressure-to-sack rate — pressured on 22.5% of dropbacks but took only 10 sacks

Cons

Mediocre 46.6 PFF grade when pressured
Only 24 career starts over 3 seasons

Grade: A

Risk

Pros

Extremely poised and confident (see: 2017 CFP NC)
Outstanding instincts and football IQ
Deadly accurate passer can beat defenses from anywhere on the field
Mobility and athleticism to impact the game in multiple ways
Raises the level of play of his entire team
Nearly 2 whole seasons of SEC dominance
5-star HS recruit (#5 overall)
Recovery appears to be going as smooth as possible

Cons

Several lower-body injuries could have legitimate affects on his mobility
Can he stay healthy after recovering?
Small frame doesn’t bode well for injury sustainability
Average raw arm strength
Plethora of playmakers at his disposal — 4 potential 1st round WRs
Benefitted from fantastic OL protection — 5th-best pressure rate

Grade: B-

Overall

Probably the most discussed player over the last several months, Tua Tagovailoa cemented himself as an Alabama football legend before suffering a tragic hip injury in November. He instantly shined in the National spotlight after replacing Jalen Hurts at halftime of the 2017 CFP Championship and leading Alabama to another championship, Tua went on to flat-out dominate the SEC over the next 2 seasons.

Although his production was off the charts, it must be understood that Alabama’s offense is absolutely loaded at skill positions and on the line. They didn’t “carry” Tua, however — he accentuated everyone’s strengths. With pinpoint accuracy, uncanny pocket poise, and a terrific feel for the game, Tua executed two different schemes to near perfection.

Smaller than the prototypical QB, Tua is more in the modern-day mold similar to Brees, Wilson, Mayfield, and Murray — precise yet athletic. If it weren’t for the lower-extremity injuries, there is no doubt that “Burrow vs Tua” would be the most heated discussion topic of this year’s Draft. His health will be closely monitored for the next several years, but Tua has the ability and mental makeup to become the face of a franchise.

Pro Comp: QB Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)

Projected Round: Top-10 pick

Prime Destinations: MIA, LAC, CAR, WAS, NE, NO

OVERALL Grade: A-