NFF National Scholar-Athletes
QB – University of Maryland
3.61 GPA – Family Science
Head Coach: Michael Locksley | Athletics Director: Damon Evans
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Bradley Hatfield
Recipient of the Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant Scholar-Athlete Award
Extremely talented with the ability to make incredible plays in the face of intense pressure, Taulia Tagovailoa has played a key role in the transformation of the Maryland program while excelling in the classroom with a 3.61 GPA. The Ewa Beach, Hawaii, native now becomes only the second NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Maryland history and the first since 1977.
A 2021 CSC Academic All-District pick and a 2022 Academic All-Big Ten selection, Tagovailoa graduated last December, majoring in family science. He is currently working towards his master’s degree in African American studies.
The starting quarterback for the Terps for the past four seasons, Tagovailoa joined a Maryland program that recorded six losing seasons, including his redshirt freshman year in 2020. The Terps went 7-6 in 2021, and Tagovailoa claimed MVP honors in Maryland’s win at the Pinstripe Bowl. Last year, Tagovailoa guided the team to an 8-5 record and a win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, marking the first consecutive postseason wins for the program in 20 years. The success has continued in 2023 with a 5-2 start.
A three-time team captain, Tagovailoa is a three-time All-Big Ten pick and a two-time Polynesian College Football Player of the Year finalist.
Tagovailoa entered 2023 having completed 665 passes for 7,789 career yards and 51 touchdowns. He also rushed for 189 yards and eight touchdowns. His career totals have already given him numerous Maryland records, including passing yards, completions, touchdown passes, completion percentage and 300-yard passing games. He set several single-season school records in 2021, including passing yards (3,860), completions (328), completion percentage (69.2%) touchdowns (26-tied) and 300-yard passing games (seven).
This season, he has passed for 1,926 yards and 16 touchdowns, ranking second in the Big Ten for both categories while also ranking second for average passing yards per game with 275.1. He has added four rushing touchdowns. Tagovailoa, who has started 34 games for Terps, appeared in five games at Alabama as a freshman in 2019 where he played with brother Tua before transferring to Maryland.
Active in the community, Tagovailoa volunteer work has included reading to children at local elementary schools and packing food for the underserved at area shelters.
(All Stats of Oct. 25, 2023)
