Despite entering the NCAA transfer portal this week, there’s no guarantee former Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will be allowed to suit up for another program.
Tagovailoa just wrapped up his fifth season of eligibility. In order to play another season, he’ll need to receive a waiver for a sixth year.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel was told that Tagovailoa filed for a re-instatement waiver with the NCAA. He’s hoping he’ll gain another year of eligibility.
What’s crazy about Tagovailoa’s situation is that he’d have another year of eligibility remaining if he didn’t play two snaps against Mississippi State in 2019. Before stepping onto the field, he already appeared in four games.
“Honestly, if I could do it again, hopefully my brother doesn’t get injured and I’m not in that emotional state where I want to play in the game. If I got to do it over again, I wouldn’t have played in the game,” Tagovailoa told Thamel. “Coach asked me if I wanted to go in. Of course I wanted to go in and play for my brother. And that’s what happened.”
Tagovailoa finished the 2023 season with 3,377 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
If Tagovailoa receives a waiver for a sixth year, there should be a handful of teams pursuing him. For now, it’s a waiting game.