Tua Tagovailoa Shares Thoughts On Mac Jones, Bryce Young

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Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to Tuscaloosa this week for a charity event. The “Luau with Tua” featured Polynesian food and knife dancing in support of local charities, including his former coach Nick Saban’s organization, Nick’s Kids Foundation. The NFL sophomore spoke to reporters about all sorts of topics, especially the growth he experiences from season to season, as well as a few of his old teammates.

When asked about Patriots rookie Mac Jones, Tua said that he hasn’t spoken to Jones, but is available. He added that learning a new playbook in the NFL is tough and time consuming, and that Jones is a “perfectionist,” so he’s probably been studying a lot.

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

A few years ago, the two aforementioned quarterbacks made up two thirds of a very stacked QB room. Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was also in the room, but Tua said the group never really discussed their talent levels—opting to focus more on getting better. “We all learned from each other. We were all coaching each other up. That was the good thing about it.”

And as for the future of the quarterback position in T-town? Tua said it’s hard to tell how Bryce Young is doing based on A-day alone, but added that the position is all about “staying calm.” Tua said his mindset when coming to Bama was competing, trying to be the best, and just doing what he did in high school. If Bryce Young does all of those things, then the Crimson Tide program is in good hands.

Bryce Young & Mac Jones (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Tua has always been one of those guys who I wished well even though he played for a rival. His sincerity and polish really shine through every time he gets behind the microphone. Replacing Hurts in the 2018 National Championship against Georgia was one of the most exciting, surreal moments in college football history; the kind of move where you remember exactly where you were watching for life. Now entering his second season in the league, his young, talented Dolphins look poised to make a run at the AFC East just as Miami is experiencing this burgeoning rebirth as a major US destination city.

As long as he doesn’t come up against the Titans, I’ll continue to wish him well.