The introduction of NIL has handed NCAA athletes even more incentive to fashion transfers, with cash offers now a viable tactic.
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has revealed being offered a remarkable sum to leave said program that he admits he would have been tempted to take if he was in a different situation.
Speaking at Big Ten Media Day, the QB claimed to have been proposed “crazy money” to transfer to an SEC team he did not name. According to The Athletic, the amount in question totals a cool $1.5 million.
The report adds that the offer resulted in many sleepless nights for Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley.
“It can be eye-opening, but I think for my situation – if I was in a different situation where maybe I didn’t have a brother in the NFL or maybe my parents, it’d be a different situation,” Taulia was quoted as saying.
The 23-year-old holds the records for single-season and all-time completions and passing yards. It’s no wonder his coach couldn’t sleep.
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The QB earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and has registered over 6,800 passing yards and 44 touchdowns over the past two seasons with Maryland.
He revealed having discussed the offer with his older brother Tua, the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, and ultimately decided that his legacy and the relationships he’s built were more important than a mega payday.
“It would be hard for me to go to another place and not be happy but have all the money in the world,” he explained. “(I’d rather) be at a place where maybe I don’t have as much, but I’m happy and I’m here to work.”
