Tua To Start Less Than A Year After Injury

As first reported by ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Shefter, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was announced Tuesday afternoon as the new starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins. His college success notwithstanding, Tagovailoa will bring an energy that the Dolphins have been sorely lacking, despite their 3-3 record this season.

The irony of this announcement, is that it Alabama will play Mississippi State the day before his first start. Alabama fans will remember that Mississippi State was the last full game that Tagovailoa would play in an Alabama uniform.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban commented in his press conference on Monday about Tua coming into the game against the Jets on Sunday.

"We're always excited and happy for all of our players," Saban said. "Most guys don't have to go through what Tua went through in terms of the adversity he had to overcome from an injury standpoint with the hip injury, but he worked hard, and he's back to 100 percent."

Coach Saban went on to say how Tua has been a true ambassador for the University of Alabama and how successful Tua will be in the NFL.

"We haven't had anybody in this program since I have been here that's been a better ambassador for the university," Saban said. "Our thoughts and prayers are always with him and we hope that he does extremely well and it won't surprise me at all if that's the case."

The Miami Dolphins are currently in 2nd place in the AFC East, and only a game behind the division leading Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa's career is just beginning, but fans of Alabama and Miami are excited and optimistic about Tua's opportunity in the NFL!

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