Front-runner emerges for QB Taulia Tagovailoa if granted sixth year of eligibility
University of Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has used up all of his college eligibility, but he’s petitioning the NCAA for an eligibility waiver to play in 2024.
Should he be granted a sixth year of eligibility, the Miami Hurricanes are reportedly the favorites to land him, according to Peter Nakos of On3. Tagovailoa is the No. 7-ranked QB in the transfer portal, per On3, and he’s the top remaining option among signal-callers still in the portal.
In four years with the Terrapins, Tagovailoa threw for 11,256 yards, 76 touchdowns and 37 interceptions, and he added 201 yards rushing and 13 more scores.
With 2023 starter Tyler Van Dyke transferring to Wisconsin, Miami has been scrambling trying to find his replacement. They lost out on several of the top passers in the transfer portal including Washington State’s Cam Ward (NFL Draft), USC’s Malachi Nelson (transferred to Boise State), Arkansas’ K.J. Jefferson (transferred to UCF), UCLA’s Dante Moore (transferred to Oregon) and Kansas State’s Will Howard (transferred to Ohio State).
The Hurricanes had just two QBs on their roster who have attempted a pass in college — freshman Emory Williams, who’s sidelined until the spring with a fractured left arm, and sophomore Jacurri Brown, who threw for 181 yards, a touchdown and an interception in a 31-24 loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl — before
FCS QB Reese Poffenbarger of UAlbany committed.
Three-star signal caller Judd Anderson, the No. 58 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class per the 247Sports composite rankings, is also an option after signing with Miami on Dec. 20. He’s expected to be on campus for spring practice after enrolling in school early.
Miami has also reportedly been trying to convince Ward to wait on the NFL Draft until after a year in Coral Gables, per Inside the U, and they’ve also been linked to.
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