Alabama feels like home
Tua Tagovailoa, Rivals100 quarterback from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, is the latest commitment for the University of Alabama in the class of 2017. He talked in-depth Monday night of his decision to roll with the Tide.
"Being the first player from Hawaii to commit to Alabama in the past decade is an awesome opportunity for me," Tagovailoa said. "There are not many kids who get the opportunity to say they are committing to Alabama, the defending national champions. There are a lot of kids in Alabama who don't even get that opportunity.
"I really just want to extend my gratitude to Coach Saban and Coach Kiffin for the opportunity to commit to Alabama. I told them about a week ago how I felt about the recruiting process. Coach Saban asked how I wanted to do it. We told him we would like to announce it here. He was fine with everything. He wanted us to make it special for the people in Hawaii who have shown so much support and for my family."
So what made Tagovailo choose the Crimson Tide?
"First and foremost, the opportunity is small for kids in my position," he said. "They came all the way across the mainland. Not many kids get the opportunity to travel that far to an SEC school like Alabama.
"If I want to play in the NFL why not start at a place that runs an NFL-type of offense? Why not build your skills up as an NFL talent and prepare yourself at a school that does that for you? If I am blessed to make my dream come true Alabama is the place that can do that for me."
The trip to Tuscaloosa changed everything.
"I really didn't think I would be committing to Alabama," Tagovailoa said. "I thought it was going to be USC. The environment and the people were so amazing in the South. I never have seen anything like it. They always tell you to go where you feel like home. Alabama felt like home.
"I was there for a week. It was amazing. I got to take a hold and really grasp what the community does on Sundays and on week days. I got to see a lot of the football players and coaches go to church.
"I felt the southern hospitality. They are such grateful and respectful people. It was the biggest thing for me. I wanted to surround myself with people who are genuine and nice. That's how I was brought up in my community. You really don't want anything much more than that. Alabama feels like home."
Alabama started recruiting Tagovailoa after his sophomore year. He received an offer from the Crimson Tide in April prior to his visit to Tuscaloosa.
"My family is excited about my decision," he said. "They are fired up. I can't thank God enough about the amount of scholarships I received. I am finally happy we got the decision made and out of the way. I can now focus on my senior year and finish strong."
Tagovailo plans to return to Alabama in June. He doesn't expect his recruitment to slow down with his commitment.
"I feel like I am pretty set with my decision," Tagovailo said. "At the same time I want to enjoy the process. I feel like I will take my five visits. You only get to enjoy this process while you are still in high school before you move forward."
The Tide's new leader of the offense plans help lure other recruits in joining him in Tuscaloosa.
"I believe it's my job to recruit other players to Alabama," he said. "If you want to have the best players surrounding you you have to put your pride aside and help get guys to commit."