Former Alabama high school, Crimson Tide quarterback released by CFL team

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have released quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa.

The former Thompson High School standout began his college career at Alabama. He joined the Canadian Football League team last season after four years at Maryland.

In 2024, Tagovailoa played in eight games for the Tiger-Cats. He ran three times for 10 yards and one touchdown and completed his only pass for a 6-yard gain.

Tagovailoa was among 12 players released by Hamilton with CFL teams required to reduce their rosters to 85 players by 10:59 p.m. CDT Saturday before the opening of training camps this week. The Tigers-Cats started their training camp on Sunday as they prepare for their preseason opener on May 24 and the kickoff to the regular season on June 7.

“It was the fit,” Hamilton coach Scott Milanovich said about Tagovailoa’s release. “I think he has a lot of talent. He’s got a chance. …

“I figure he’ll get picked up by somebody else. It was a fit within what we’re looking for in this offense. He’s a great kid. I wish him well. It’s hard to see him go.”

At Thompson High School in Alabaster, Tagovailoa was the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 7A Back of the Year for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Tagovailoa became the first player in Alabama high school history with at least four 400-yard passing games, with a high of 507 yards in a 35-21 victory over Oak Mountain in a 7A Region 3 game on Sept. 14, 2018.

As a senior, Tagovailoa passed for 3,728 yards and 35 touchdowns as the Warriors reached the AHSAA Class 7A Championship Game. Central-Phenix City beat Thompson 52-7 for the state crown. After sustaining a shoulder injury in a 31-28 semifinal victory over Hoover, Tagovailoa was unable to complete the title game.

At Alabama, Tagovailoa was behind his brother, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones on the Crimson Tide’s depth chart in 2019. He completed 9-of-12 passes for 100 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions at Alabama.

In his four seasons at Maryland, Tagovailoa became the Big Ten’s career leader for passing yards. Tagovailoa completed 955-of-1,424 passes for 11,256 yards with 76 touchdowns and 37 interceptions for the Terrapins.

Because of the roster reduction, the CFL had a long transactions list on Sunday. Among the other players released this weekend were quarterback Tyler Huff (Jacksonville State) and wide receiver Trey Shropshire (UAB) by the Tiger-Cats, quarterback Michael Hiers (Briarwood Christian, Samford) and defensive end Jordan Smith (UAB) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and defensive back Javaris Davis (Auburn) and offensive lineman Antonio Garcia (Troy) by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.