Alabama defeated Mississipi State with a final score of 38-7 on Nov. 16, that’s the same date in which his collegiate career would come to an end and the same date NFL teams across the country developed some hesitation towards drafting the 2018 Heisman finalist.
Fast forward almost five months later and the former Alabama quarterback went from wheelchair-bound to feeling like he could play in a game today.
In an interview with NFL Network, Tagovailoa said that he has fully recovered and has no qualms about his ability to play at his highest level.
“I feel 100 percent,” said Tagovailoa. “I feel like if there was a game today, I’d be able to go out and perform the same way I was able to perform in previous years. I feel as mobile as possible. I feel 100 percent.”
This is huge news coming from the the Tagovailoa camp, but can NFL teams trust that they are telling the whole truth?
We are now in April, just a few weeks way from the 2020 NFL Draft and there is no doubt the top-two quarterbacks, in a draft class littered with talented quarterbacks, is Tagovailoa and LSU’s 2019 Heisman-winner Joe Burrow.
Prior to the hip injury, the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in this draft was Tagovailoa. Since then, it has been Burrow.
There are many theories surrounding the potential landing spot for the Hawaii-native, but will it be changed with this recent news that he could play today?
Likely not.
NFL teams are still heavily restricted when it comes to meeting with players and getting their own independent health reports due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. This means that they will have to take his word for it.
Though, he did help his own case by releasing a video on Twitter showing him running, throwing and practicing drills with a coach.
Practicing social distancing with the long ball today. Feels good to spin it again. #Process pic.twitter.com/BZnBF7Sfdc
— Tua. T 🇦🇸 (@Tuaamann) March 24, 2020
In a time in which he wasn’t able to participate in the NFL Combine and the Alabama Pro Day has been canceled, all he can do is promote his own health and show it off on social media for the world to see – it’s almost like the public now gets an equal opportunity to be apart of the scouting process alongside NFL teams.
As the draft gets closer, more questions will arise regarding his health. However, it seems like the only thing any of us can do is keep updated on what he posts online and speculate what it means.
Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things Alabama related in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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