College Football: Top 30 breakout candidates for 2018 season

If you watched the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship, you probably saw the birth of a star. Tua Tagovailoa went from “Jalen Hurts‘ backup” to national title-winning quarterback in a matter of just a half of football — and some overtime.

Alabama was searching for answers on offense in the first half against Georgia so Nick Saban decided to make a gutsy move. He brought in his true freshman quarterback who had been playing minimally all year long and let the former five-star lead the Crimson Tide back to a tie ballgame, forcing overtime.

In overtime, Tagovailoa’s magic didn’t cease. After taking a cringe-worthy sack, he dropped back, floated a deep pass down the sideline to an open receiver to win the title. Obviously, this was the biggest moment of his life, but he made it look effortless.

Not many freshmen could step up on a big stage like that and not crumble, but Tagovailoa is just built different.

Though Saban has been tight-lipped about the starting job — even stating he’ll play both quarterbacks — Tagovailoa has all the breakout potential in the world.