Tua Tagovailoa on NFL Draft Criticism, Rumors: 'I've Dealt with Adversity'

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said he's become accustomed to the types of hurdles he's faced leading up to the 2020 NFL draft.

Tagovailoa told Mike Jones of USA Today he's faced roadblocks throughout his life and football journey:

"I would say that's been my entire life: adversity. I've dealt with adversity for as long as I could remember. I had to deal with it in high school when my grandfather passed away. I had to deal with it in college my freshman year when my grandmother passed away.

"And then my sophomore year, I ended up getting injured with my knee and ankle, and then the following year, it was the same thing. ... The biggest thing with adversity has been, 'What's next? What can you do to better the situation and move forward from it?'"

Tagovailoa was the early favorite to become the first overall pick in the 2020 draft after his breakout sophomore season at Bama in 2018. He finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up after throwing for 3,966 yards and 43 touchdowns in 15 games.

Although his numbers remained strong in 2019—33 passing TDs in nine games—the injury factor has loomed large for the Crimson Tide standout.

After suffering a high-ankle sprain late in 2018, he suffered another one last year. His final collegiate campaign ultimately came to an early end in November when a hit late in the first half against Mississippi State caused him to suffer hip and nose injuries, along with a concussion.

Tagovailoa has insisted he's back to full strength and ready to compete in the NFL.

"I feel 100 percent," he told the NFL Network on April 1. "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."

Lingering questions about his health have created at least a little uncertainty about whether he's still a top-10 lock heading into the draft, which kicks off Thursday night.

The 22-year-old Hawaii native told Jones he's not worried about when he comes off the board, though.

"If I'm the first pick or if I'm the last pick, whatever team takes a chance on me I'm grateful, and whatever team decides to pick me, that's the team I'm meant to go to," Tagovailoa said. "... To be able to say my dream came true, not too many kids get that chance, man. I'll be very blessed."

The Miami Dolphins (No. 5 pick) and Los Angeles Chargers (No. 6) still make the most sense as potential landing spots, and a team would probably look to trade up if he slides much beyond that.

Tagovailoa possesses superstar potential if he can stay healthy, and it's tough to pass up that type of upside.