Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa makes NFL draft decision

The wait is over.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced at a press conference on Monday that he is entering the 2020 NFL draft.

“I’ve had a difficult time making this decision about my future,” Tagovailoa said, via SI.com. “I will be declaring and entering the 2020 NFL draft.”

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More Tagovailoa coverage:

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Tagovailoa suffered a hip dislocation in a Nov. 16 win over Mississippi State that required surgery. He is expected to begin athletic activities three months later, with a goal of throwing in the spring, according to Sports Illustrated.

Prior to the injury, Tagovailoa was in consideration for the No. 1 overall pick.

Now? It’s up to his pre-draft medical evaluations.

“Yes, the injury will be a major factor,” an evaluator told The MMQB’s Kayln Kahler. “It will all be based on the team doctor’s recommendation to the GM. Period.”

“If he’s on pace to be back for the start of next season, I think he’ll be fine,” another scout told The MMQB. “And all it takes is one team to take a chance on him …”

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Tagovailoa as the No. 2 QB in the 2020 draft behind LSU’s Joe Burrow, the presumed No. 1 overall draft choice. Brugler pointed out in a recent chat discussion that “the greatest predictor of future injuries is past injuries.”

“One reason I wasn’t sky-high on Deshaun Watson was because of all the hits he took in college and how worried I was that he wouldn’t be able to last in the NFL,” Brugler writes. “Even with an ACL tear, that sounds silly now. And hopefully that’s how it works out for Tua in the NFL. Hopefully we’ll find out more after the Combine medicals.”

Tagovailoa passed for 2,840 yards with 33 touchdowns and 3 interceptions before the injury ended his season.

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