Another decorated college quarterback is making his way north of the border to play in the CFL.
Taulia Tagovailoa, younger brother of Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, is nearing a deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats according to Sportsnet’s Arash Madani.
Taulia, 24, spent five seasons playing NCAA football, starting with his freshman season in 2019 where be backed up Tua at Alabama. He then transferred to the University of Maryland, where he would spend the next four years.
In 2021, Taulia took over as a starter for the Terrapins and found record levels of success. The two-time All-Big Ten second-teamer averaged 3,415 passing yards, 293 completions and 23 touchdowns as Maryland’s full-time quarterback.
By the time Taulia wrapped up his collegiate career, his 11,256 total passing yards in the Big Ten had him atop the conference’s all-time passing-yards leaderboard.
The Hawaii native led the Big Ten in completions (290), attempts (437), yards (3,337) and passing touchdowns (25) in his final collegiate season, earning the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award. He also led the conference with 11 interceptions.
Taulia did get some attention from the NFL after going undrafted in April, taking part in the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks rookie mini-camps as a tryout player, but nothing materialized.
The 24-year-old will be joining a Tiger-Cats squad that finished 2023 with an 8-10 record, third in the Eastern Conference.
Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell is Hamilton’s stating quarterback, with promising sophomore Taylor Powell currently No. 2.