Some of the best quarterback performances this year came as a result of players transferring and using extra eligibility. As a result, more and more QBs entered the portal in the short time since the regular season of college football ended.
Taulia Tagovailoa is the next on up.
The Maryland QB set almost every record possible during his four seasons with the program. He's first in single-season passing yards with 3,860 in 2021 and owns the school's career passing yards record with 11,256 yards. He's also the single-season leader in touchdowns after throwing 26 in 2021 and career passing touchdowns with 76. He holds the Big Ten record for all-time completion percentage with 67.1.
He led the Terps to three straight bowl game victories, though he sat out the Music City Bowl against Auburn this year.
“When he came to sit down and then he made the decision that he didn’t want to play in the bowl game in an effort to pursue future opportunities, whether it be the NFL, whether it be transferring, if in fact there were more time available, it was a pretty easy conversation because the mutual respect was there,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said in December.
There's just one problem with Tagovailoa's decision to transfer: he's out of eligibility. Tagovailoa is waiting on a waiver to allow him a sixth year of competition. Whether it comes or not is the question. The quarterback has no eligibility left since he took his extra year of COVID-19 already and has no medical redshirt available.
Tagovailoa played at Alabama in 2019 with his older brother, current Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa, but transferred to Maryland the following season. He redshirted in 2020 after playing only four games.
His decision to enter the portal comes at a interesting time. Players have a "soft deadline" to declare for the NFL draft by Jan. 5 but a "hard deadline" of declaration on Jan. 15. If Tagovailoa's transfer waiver, which must be signed by Maryland and Alabama, is not approved, he will enter the NFL Draft.
MORE: Transfer portal QB tracker
If he gets the sixth year of eligibility, where will the quarterback end up?
Taulia Tagovailoa transfer landing spots
Miami
Tagovailoa has been rumored to transfer to Miami for weeks before entering the portal. With Tua as the starting QB for the Dolphins, Taulia, the younger brother, is undoubtedly focused on playing for the south Florida school.
"Tagovailoa's family would like to bring him to the city where his brother, Tua Tagovailoa, is a star," according to sources in Miami and Maryland, 247Sports reports.
The Hurricanes' starting QB Tyler Van Dyke entered the transfer portal after four season in Miami before choosing Wisconsin. That leaves a much-needed position for Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal to fill. Jacurri Brown, a sophomore for Miami, has already voiced his decision to stay with the program. He appeared in eight games as a freshman and one, the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers, this year.
Michigan
The Wolverines might not be looking for a transfer quarterback right now with a CFP championship their main focus, but they might after Monday.
JJ McCarthy has been Michigan's starting QB for three seasons. He has yet to say if he will stay in Ann Arbor for his senior season, but it's highly possible he will enter the NFL Draft.
The program's recent success would certainly drive Tagovailoa, who's familiar with the Wolverines in the Big Ten and even received an offer from them out of high school. A chance at a conference or national title or improving his draft stock is likely among the reasons he's going for another year in college. Though, Jim Harbaugh's future in Michigan is unknown, which could make Tagovailoa's decision to transfer there a little less likely.
USC
With Caleb Williams expected to declare and freshman Malachi Nelson in the portal, Lincoln Riley may be looking for the next big star. And Riley certainly doesn't shy away from transfers.
Redshirt sophomore Miller Moss stepped up big for the Trojans in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl passing for six touchdowns, the bowl game's record. He's certainly turned some heads with that performance, but Tagovailoa would be a fierce competitor who knows how to get it done offensively. Plus, Tagovailoa would be able to prepare the Trojans for the Big Ten change of pace.