Ranking the 5 best NFL draft quarterback prospects in college football
By Kyle Grondin
3. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama — Draft eligible: 2020
Tua Tagovailoa is a great prospect that does a lot of things really well. He’s very accurate, throws some great timing routes, does a great job of looking off defenders and putting the ball where only his receiver can make a play.
More from NFL Draft
- 5 steals from Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft
- 5 picks that stood out on day two of 2023 NFL draft
- 2023 NFL Draft: 3 biggest winners from the first round
- Nolan Smith: Grading Eagles No. 30 NFL draft pick
- Myles Murphy: Grading the Bengals’ No. 28 overall NFL draft pick
There’s two issues now with Tua’s game: his health and his deep ball.
While his deep ball numbers look great on paper, I’ve heard scouts describe as throwing a heavy ball. It comes off slow, and while he’s accurate, he benefits from having elite receivers in college to throw the ball downfield for, that ball will need more zip.
His health is another question, in just two seasons, Tagovailoa is on his sixth injury, and the hip injury seems serious. A dislocated hip is not something that is easy to comeback from, but when healthy, he could be the top prospect in college football today.
A lot of naysayers want to compare Tua’s game to Matt Leinart, but to me he plays a lot like Phillip Rivers. His arm motion is a little quirky, but incredibly accurate and he is perfect for today’s NFL.