Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 Replacements for Jameis Winston in 2020 NFL Draft

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after a fourth quarter rushing touchdown by Clyde Edwards-Helaire #22 (not pictured) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the second half against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama Crimson Tide

Stats: 2,840 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 71.4 percent completion rate

Since arriving on campus in Tuscaloosa, Tua Tagovailoa has been regarded as one of, if not the best, quarterbacks in school history. That is a history that includes Pro Football Hall of Famers Joe Namath and Ken Stabler. That’s how good the native Hawaiian has been in crimson and white.

This year, he picked up right where he left off, leading the Crimson Tide to a 7-0 start before injuring his ankle. He returned for the showdown against LSU at home, where he threw for 418 yards and four touchdowns in the 46-41 loss.

His efforts kept Alabama in the game when their vaunted defense largely failed to do so and showcased why he definitely belongs in the conversation for the best quarterback in college football.

However, the next week against Mississippi State, Tagovailoa was lost for the season due to a hip injury. He will be back in time for spring according to reports following his surgery but one has to wonder how this affects his NFL Draft stock.

While dominating for the Crimson Tide, Tagovailoa showed elite football IQ, great pocket presence, underrated athleticism and uncanny arm strength and accuracy. Almost every NFL team would love to have him. Yet, we still don’t know if the junior signal-caller will turn pro or return to Alabama for his senior season.

If he does go pro, expect him to be a top-five selection as long as his hip heals properly.

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