ORLANDO, Fla. _ Much of the discussion about the 2019 Miami Dolphins' season centered upon how the organization stripped down the team with the intent of rebuilding around a potential franchise quarterback.
That plan took several hits over the course of the last 17 weeks. The Dolphins won too many games to secure the first pick in April's NFL Draft. That honor, which likely will turn into LSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, went to Cincinnati.
Another potential target, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, seemingly disappeared from Miami's radar in mid-November when he sustained a dislocated right hip during a game against Mississippi State, which resulted in his third lower-body surgery in less than a year and created doubt about his immediate future.
"I'd like to coach him forever," Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said on Sunday during a news conference in advance of Wednesday's Citrus Bowl. "But that's the nature of our business. You recruit players, players come in, you try to develop them as best as you can, have a lot of team success, and ultimately individual success so they can go on, move on in life and be successful humans. Then you bring in new people."
While Tagovailoa's surgeon, Dr. Lyle Cain, said his "prognosis is excellent, and we expect him to make a full recovery" following the November surgery, the injury presented Tagavailoa with options deemed unlikely before the season. Prior to the hip injury, the junior was expected to declare for the NFL Draft and contend for the first overall pick with Burrow and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. After the injury, Tagovailoa _ who also underwent surgery to both ankles over the past year, talked about his options, which could include a return to Alabama for his senior season.
Although Tagovailoa remains silent, several around the Alabama program have spoken of his time as the Crimson Tide's quarterback in past tense in the lead up to Wednesday's Citrus Bowl.
Mac Jones, who replaced Tagovailoa as the quarterback, called the offense "my team" after Saturday's practice. But the strongest hints came from Sarkisian, who lauded Tagovailoa more so as a person than as a quarterback.
"He's a fantastic human," he said. "Forget just No. 13 on the field. It's who he is off the field that I think is probably more impressive."
While a medical update has not been provided, Sarkisian said Tagovailoa remains "positive" and "upbeat."
"That's how he's been throughout his rehab now," Sarkisian said. "He's in really good spirits ... . Wherever his future holds for him, this guy's going to be successful in life. I think, as coaches, that's all you can ask for."
With the Dolphins shut out in the chase for Burrow, Tagovailoa could emerge as their selection. Ironically, the same injury that created doubt around Tagovailoa's future could enable him to slide down a few picks to Miami in the draft.
