re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition

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Alabama quarterback commit Taulia Tagovailoa won’t play in next week’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic because of a shoulder injury, but it’s unclear if he can play in two other major all-star games next month.

Tagovailoa, talking to reporters after a ceremony to honor him, fellow Alabama commit Amari Kight and UAB linebacker commit Will Conner today at Thompson High in Alabaster, said he plans to enroll at Alabama in January. He answered questions about his shoulder but offered no specifics.

"My shoulder is getting better," he said. "We have great trainers up here and they're helping me get better. … I'm just focused on getting my shoulder better one day at a time."

Tagovailoa, who threw for 3,728 yards and 35 touchdowns, was selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, which is Monday; the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, set for Jan. 5; and the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii on Jan. 19.

Tagovailoa suffered the shoulder injury during the Warriors' 31-28 victory over Hoover on Nov. 23 in the Class 7A semifinals, but it wasn't revealed until after the 52-7 loss to Central-Phenix City in last week's state title game. He threw for a career-low 44 yards while trying to play with the injury.

After the championship game, Tagovailoa described it as a strained labrum and rotator cuff. At today's ceremony in Alabaster, he was not wearing a sling and didn't seem to wince or have any range of motion issues while greeting teammates or posing for photos.

During the ceremony, Polynesian Bowl officials also announced he is one of the final finalists to for the all-star game's Player of the Year award. He had previously been tabbed as one of the 10 semifinalists.

Tagovailoa’s older brother -- Heisman Trophy runner-up Tua Tagovailoa -- also enrolled early at Alabama, and Taulia said he saw the chance to participate in spring practice helped Tua get “a step ahead.” Fellow 2019 quarterback commit Paul Tyson is also an early enrollee and plays to report Friday and participate in on-campus bowl practices.

"It's something my brother did," Taulia said, "and I see how good it work out for him. I’m just trying to get to college."

The Tagovailoa brothers played on separate high school teams in Hawaii, and Taulia said the chance to play on the same team with his brother influenced his decision to choose Alabama.

"We're family oriented," he said. "That's one of my family's dreams, to have me and my brother play on the same (college) team. It's beneficial for me. I get to learn from him and also the other quarterbacks and get to experience the same things he did."

What will do Taulia between now and his January enrollment? “Training and getting my shoulder better,” he said.

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