Tua would've transferred if kept on sidelines for last game

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Tagovailoa, who helped the Crimson Tide win an NCAA national championship in January, preached a message was all about perseverance. But while he was sharing some of the knowledge he's gained so far in his collegiate experience, the Tide's signal caller also confirmed a rumor that had been spreading – thanks to former Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.

After Alabama won the national title, Kiffin – now the head coach at Florida Atlantic – claimed Tagovailoa had long been considering transferring to another school. According to Tagovailoa, that may have actually been the case.

"I called my dad and asked him if my offer to the University of Southern California was still available," Tagovailoa told the crowd of seventh and eighth graders. "I wanted to leave. I told my dad I wanted to go to a school where I thought it'd be easier for me and wouldn't challenge me so much."

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He said his parents told him he had to push through, and he knew they were right. Still, Tagovailoa says, feelings of frustration crept in again as he accumulated more and more time on the bench for the Crimson Tide last season as their second-string QB behind Jalen Hurts.

"Even throughout my football season, I wasn't the starter," Tagovailoa continued. "I wanted to leave the school. So I told myself if I didn't play in the last game, which was the national championship game, I would transfer out. If I gave in, I don't think I would have seen the end blessing of where I am now."

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