Scout Report – Tua Tagovailoa

• Position: Quarterback – Dual Threat
• Alabama Crimson Tide
• Gridiron Guy Position Rank: 2 of 11
• NFL Draft Tracker Pos. Rank:

Age: 21* | Height: 6’1 | Weight: 218 lbs
NFL Size Comparison: Baker Mayfield

QB at a Glance: Pass-First Scrambler with deadly accuracy, a sharp mind, and a high development level.

RESUME:

• Highest career completion percentage in SEC history (69.3%)
• 5th most passing yards in the SEC (2840)
• 8th most passing TDs in the nation (33)
  • 2nd most in the SEC
• 7th most career passing TDs in SEC history
• Highest career pass efficiency rating in NCAA history (199.4)
• Best Game: @ South Carolina (W 47-23)
  • 28/36 | 77.8% | 444 pass yd | 5 TD – 0 INT | 2 att | -12 rush yd
• Worst Game: v. #2 LSU (L 41-46)
  • 21/40 | 52.5% | 418 pass yd | 4 TD – 1 INT | 3 att | -5 rush yd
• 2018 Orange Bowl Offensive MVP
• CFP National Champion (2018)
• College Football Playoff National Championship Offensive MVP (2017)
• Heisman trophy runner-up (2018)
• SEC Champion (2018)
• Sporting News Player of the Year (2018)
• Maxwell Award (2018)
• Walter Camp Award (2018)
• SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
• First-Team All-SEC (2018)
• Second Team All-SEC (2019)
• Consensus All-American (2018)

Range:

• Pocket: ~50 yards
• On the Run: ~30 yards
• Acc-Run: ~25 yards
• Pressure: –
• Acc-Pressure: –
• Arm Range: >20 yards

Strengths:

• Extremely talented passer with accuracy that is deadly on all points and distances of the field
• Quick, disciplined hands make anything from PA/RPO, to pump fakes deadly against defenders
• Solid throwing mechanics with a tight elbow and hips that can release the ball quickly
• Makes a point to maintain balance with a nice base and center of gravity
• Extremely mobile when he breaks the pocket
• High Top speed, one of the fastest for the QB position
• Excellent ball placement, can take the defender out of the play or lead the receiver to extra yards
• Footwork is astounding, keeping himself balanced while also maintaining his maneuverability 
• Maintains accuracy on the run up to roughly 25 yards
• Can put heat on a throw to get the ball there, or a little finesse
• Excellent vision to see all the levels of the field, shows to have wide peripherals
• 2 year starter with experience playing in the National Championship
• Maintained consistency in playmaking despite fluctuating usage rate
• Excellent defensive awareness to see all levels of coverage, rarely caught off guard by the wandering safety or sly LB
• Speed of progressions extremely fast, can go through up to three accurate reads within the first 4 seconds
• Decision Making is excellent, does not force the ball anywhere he does not need to
• Definition of a Pass-first scrambler or a True Dual Threat QB
• Matured sense of patience to see what the defense gives him
• Underrated Mental Toughness keeps him constantly coming back for more after he goofs
• Has a strong awareness of pre-snap reads and where defenders are positioning themselves
• Strong eye to see what defensive coverage is being used and finding the holes to exploit
• Best pocket maneuverability in the draft class thanks to his very agile feet and mobile threat
• Effective range on the run at about 30 yards
  

Weaknesses:

• Extremely risky with injury concerns and durability problems throughout his career
• Can be oblivious to when the pocket is broken by extra blitzers
• Loses considerable accuracy when pressured
• Can be lackadaisical with the ball when he takes off
• Underwhelming improvisor, does not direct traffic as well as you would like for a scrambler
• Fairly weak arm strength to launch the ball any farther than 20 yards off arm alone
• Surprisingly lacking in sack evasion compared to other dual threat QBs in the draft
• Range in the pocket pretty lackluster, set at around 50 yards or less
• Slightly below Ideal height at 6’1
  

Bold Predictions:

• Draft Placement: 1st – 2nd Round
• Plays Like: Teddy Bridgewater
• Ceiling: NFL All-Pro
• Floor: One-time NFL Starter/Career backup

Overview:

A perfect example of a pass-first scrambler, Tua has the ability to really make a splash in the NFL with his extremely high development level and deadly ability to pass the ball. More of a passer than Lamar Jackson, but the with the same potential deadliness on the run, the only major red flag for Tua is the concern over injuries.