Tua Tagovailoa took Alabama football to new heights in his three years and completely redefined what the QB position could be under Nick Saban. Prior to his arrival, Alabama football won with competent, but not overly impressive, QB play.
Nick Saban wants a QB to do two things, protect the ball and take what the defense gives. Tua did both of those things at an elite level and added in a consistency at completing downfield throws.
Many people thought before the season that Tua would be the first QB off the board, but after a season filled with injuries and Joe Burrow’s meteoric rise he settled in as the second QB taken.