Touch
Tua Tagovailoa has NFL-level touch on the football. His accuracy is unparalleled. Use whatever cliche you want: zip, throwing on a rope, threading the needle, I don’t care. Tua can do it.
There’s a lot that goes into the perfect pass. Not only does it have to go to the perfect spot, but it has to travel the perfect way. Sometimes, you have to zip it between two defenders. Sometimes, you have to put some air on it to loft it over a defender or let the receiver get underneath it. Tua can make all of these throws.
This, paired with his IQ and the ability to know where he needs to put the ball, makes Tua special. He can make throws that most other quarterbacks wouldn’t try. It’s a receiver’s best friend. Nothing is more frustrating than not having a quarterback that can get you the ball when you’re open. Not only can Tua get it to you when you’re open, but he can sometimes get it to you when you’re covered.
Pocket footwork/presence
Tua’s presence in the pocket has always been known. If you go back to that play against Vanderbilt from the title slide, his spin move would make Eddie Lacy blush. He maneuvers around the pocket while also keeping his eyes downfield. This helps him find those pinpoint throws that he converts. When the footwork and the ability to avoid pass rushers comes effortlessly, it becomes easier to make the right play. He also doesn’t have to tuck the ball and scramble when the first rusher gets to him. He works into the pocket, avoids the rush, and makes the smart decision.