Tua Tagovailoa was one of the most anticipated picks from the 2020 NFL draft. After the Miami Dolphins selected the 2018 Heisman finalist with the No. 5 selection, the talk transitioned from ‘Where will he be drafted?’ to ‘ Will he play?’
While the first question has been answered, the second questions seems to have different answers, depending on who’s asked.
The new Dolphins quarterback has been training with Kevin Wilk in Birmingham, Ala. as he prepares to move to South Florida, reports the Sun Sentinel’s Safid Deen.
Wilk, a well-known physical therapist throughout the realm of professional sports, has delivered high praise for Tagovailoa’s offseason program.
“He’s a little bit ahead as far as where we would like him,” Wilk added. “We’re constantly trying to slow him down just a little bit because an athlete like that is just chomping at the bit just begging to get back out there. He wants to do more and more so we have to hold him back. And really, that was from the beginning. He always wanted to do more.”
Not only is he looking good physically, but Wilk adds that Tagovailoa is constantly trying to learn about the Dolphins scheme and get a better understanding of the playbook.
“You can barely talk to him when he’s at the clinic. He’s either doing exercises or his face is buried in the iPad, learning the system,” Wilk said. “He’s laser focused. One of the most focused I’ve ever seen anybody, to be honest.”
Wilk continues on to explain that while the former Alabama star is in good shape, he’s not in “South Florida football shape.”
“He’s in shape now, but he’s not in South Florida football shape,” Wilk said. “Just that aspect of it, from a cardio standpoint and a recovery standpoint, you don’t want to put him out there when he’s fatigued to not just jeopardize his hip, but his arm or something like that. So, he’s got to get his reps and it’s really how he responds on a week-to-week basis.”
Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things tua Tagovailoa as he heads into his rookie season with the Miami Dolphins!