Two brothers with two totally different personalities, but alike in so some ways.
Taulia Tagovailoa, the star Maryland quarterback, is reserved, the form of participant who would fairly not discuss his personal exploits on the sector. Tua Tagovailoa, the beginning quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, is extra outgoing, having blossomed into a school star and first-round NFL draft choose after profitable a nationwide championship at Alabama.
They each not often use social media, particularly throughout soccer season. (Taulia stated he didn’t know Southern California and UCLA have been becoming a member of the Large Ten Convention in 2024 till a month after the announcement.) They're each near their household, who they lean on for steering and assist whereas taking part in probably the most scrutinized place in American sports activities.
This weekend, in a household reunion like no different, they’ll share the highlight about 31 miles aside.
Taulia will lead the Terps towards SMU on Saturday evening at Maryland Stadium in Faculty Park, whereas his older brother Tua and the Dolphins will face the Ravens at M&T Financial institution Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon.
“I believe my complete household goes to be right here too,” stated Taulia, a redshirt junior. “It will likely be thrilling.”
The brothers have been briefly teammates at Alabama, the place Tua grew to become one of the vital standard and profitable gamers within the nation. After throwing the game-winning landing cross in extra time to beat Georgia within the 2017 nationwide championship recreation as a real freshman, he completed second in Heisman Trophy voting in 2018 underneath the route of then-Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. After Locksley grew to become head coach at Maryland in 2019, Tua led Alabama to an 8-1 file earlier than struggling a dislocated hip and declaring for the NFL draft.
Lower than a month after Tua was picked No. 5 total by the Dolphins, Taulia introduced he was transferring to becoming a member of Locksley and the Terps. Two years later, the brothers will play in the identical state, one thing they haven’t finished since their childhood days in Ewa Seashore, Hawaii.
Their mom, Diane, stated the Samoan household — which incorporates her husband, Galu, a former youth soccer coach, and daughters Taylor and Taysia — is overjoyed to see the brothers compete in such shut proximity. She stated no less than 25 members of the family from Alabama, Hawaii, Utah and Virginia shall be within the stands on Saturday and Sunday.
“We live a dream,” she stated. “We get to observe one son play at a Division I faculty on Saturday, after which watch one other son play within the NFL on Sunday.”
Taulia stated he plans to attend the Ravens’ dwelling opener. Tua, however, informed Miami reporters Wednesday that he's not sure if he shall be in Faculty Park on Saturday evening because of the Dolphins’ schedule.
“That is our first highway recreation towards a extremely good crew, and we've an opportunity to go on the market and do one thing particular,” Tua stated.
Since changing into starters, Tua and Taulia have been underneath a microscope, analyzed for each little factor they do proper and mistaken.
Regardless of his observe file, many have questioned whether or not Tua has the arm energy and sturdiness to be the franchise quarterback for a Miami crew that options gifted receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Very similar to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and his ongoing contract negotiations, Tua has been a routine speaking level for pundits, with Kurt Warner, Keyshawn Johnson and Sean Payton amongst these weighing on this week alone.
“I believe it comes with the territory,” Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing recreation coordinator Darrell Bevell stated. “I believe it’s a part of taking part in the quarterback place. You’re at all times going to be checked out. I believe the yr that Tua is in, everyone says ‘Oh, that is the vital one.’ However I couldn’t be extra completely happy and enthusiastic about what Tua has been doing. The expansion course of that he’s had, the knowledge that he’s digesting, studying a brand new offense once more. He’s doing a extremely good job in it.”
In terms of Taulia, Locksley has stated many instances that he is without doubt one of the most underrated gamers in faculty soccer. Final season, Taulia set single-season program data in passing yards (3,860), completions (454) and completion charge (69.2%) whereas main Maryland to its first bowl victory since 2010. After Taulia totaled 391 passing yards and accounted for 5 touchdowns in a 56-21 win towards Charlotte final week, he moved as much as third in Maryland historical past in profession passing touchdowns with 37.
“If you see the highest quarterbacks [ranked] going into the season, you not often see Taulia Tagovailoa,” Locksley stated. “He has [brought] great worth to our program.”
For Taulia and Tua, their household retains them grounded. Rising up in Hawaii, they discovered to separate soccer and household, as Diane by no means wished them to deliver no matter they did on the soccer subject again to the home.
“If the coaches get 100% of your consideration, then your mother, dad, sisters and [grandparents] ought to get 100% when you find yourself dwelling,” she stated.
Taulia and Tua have maintained a powerful reference to their household and one another regardless of their hectic schedules. Whether or not it’s a textual content message or cellphone name, these conversations have saved them humble and helped them perceive there’s extra to life than soccer.
“That retains [Tua] motivated,” Taulia stated. “That’s one thing I attempt to do, too — simply give my household my complete consideration.”
Locksley stated each gamers have dealt with the highlight effectively, regardless that Taulia would fairly steer clear of it. Taulia admires how Tua has carried himself, always smiling and remaining upbeat. Taulia, however, is his personal worst critic and may typically let errors have an effect on his efficiency.
“Tua is ready to masks that a bit of higher than Taulia,” Diane stated. “You understand precisely what Taulia is feeling.”
In final week’s win over Charlotte, Taulia may need taken a web page out of his brother’s textbook. After throwing an interception within the second quarter, Tagovailoa saved smiling as if the turnover didn’t trouble him.
“He saved a smile on his face, and yeah, we have been up by some factors, however he’s usually actually exhausting on himself,” Locksley stated.
For Diane, this weekend shall be a testomony to the journey Tua and Taulia have been on since they have been little.
“We're capable of witness each boys do one thing they love so passionately,” she stated. “We're actually blessed.”
SMU@MARYLAND
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports activities 1
Radio: 105.7 FM
Line: Maryland by 4
Week 2
DOLPHINS@RAVENS
Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: Chs. 13, 9
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
Line: Ravens by 3 1
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