Link: Tua discusses leaving early or staying.

[crimsonaudio]

There is nothing more that I would like than to see Tua suited up in crimson next season but I truly fear for the guy getting hurt. In his basically only two full seasons he has played he has had two ankle surgeries and a hip surgery. What is next? Torn ACL surgery in a knee?

He's been injury prone, but the ankles appear (to my untrained eye) to be congenital (as it happened to both, and from the limited info I've read the surgery appears to be about permanently fixing the issue so it's not recurring).

The hip was just a freak accident.

I suspect if he comes back he'll be fine - if he were prone to knee injuries we would have seen that by now.

And one full, lights-out season could guarantee him tens of millions of dollars in guaranteed NFL money.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The dude has been hurt. How much more hurt can he get? If he is easily hurt, getting small money for a brief stint in the NFL isn't going to set him for life. BUT -- if he can come back, stay healthy, and go top 5 in next year's draft -- all he needs is one 4 year deal and he's golden.

To go to the NFL -- "no matter what" may not be the smartest move for the guy. If he thinks UT and the Klangas hit hard -- just wait until he gets into the NFL. He's got to learn how to throw the ball away, or just take a knee....and live to fight another day. If he can do that.....he still can throw us to a NC....AND be in the Top 5 next year.

Yep, he maybe preparing to maximize the rookie contract that way if he gets hurt again. He can be set with that contract. Kyler Murray's guaranteed money was $25 million. Tua's projected (at best) middle of the draft. But more than likely will be taken on the back end of the first round. Where the guaranteed money isn't quite the "retirement" money you'd like if a worst case scenario happened within his rookie contract.

 

[BamaJama17]

Tua just needs to go. He has nothing else to prove in college.

 

[B1GTide]

Tua just needs to go. He has nothing else to prove in college.

He needs to prove that he is healthy and can still play the sport.

 

[VernonTider]

You took my post the wrong way ... I said I’d love to have Tua back. I do think he’s the best QB ever. I want what he wants. I just want Bryce to stay committed for the future. I think you over reacted to my post. I guess that is easy to do since we don’t know each other.

You're right -- that and I think we're all walking on emotional eggshells after that stupid Iron Bowl, LOL

 

[Im_on_dsp]

Tua's projected (at best) middle of the draft. But more than likely will be taken on the back end of the first round.

I just saw a mock draft that said the Dolphins will take him with the 4th pick overall. So, we don't really know where he'll go but I feel pretty certain that CNS can use his connections to get a really good projection for Tua so he can make a truly informed decision.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

I still think Tua is gone. I know there is a lot of talk that he could fall to the late 1st or early 2nd and maybe thats true but I think if his recovery goes well he'll easily be a top 10-15 pick.

Of course it could go wrong and he has to make a decision before we know for sure but just my thoughts.

 

[AlexanderFan]

The dude has been hurt. How much more hurt can he get? If he is easily hurt, getting small money for a brief stint in the NFL isn't going to set him for life. BUT -- if he can come back, stay healthy, and go top 5 in next year's draft -- all he needs is one 4 year deal and he's golden.

To go to the NFL -- "no matter what" may not be the smartest move for the guy. If he thinks UT and the Klangas hit hard -- just wait until he gets into the NFL. He's got to learn how to throw the ball away, or just take a knee....and live to fight another day. If he can do that.....he still can throw us to a NC....AND be in the Top 5 next year.

Exactly, there’s still growth as a quarterback for him. Whether he takes those steps in Tuscaloosa is entirely up to him.

 

[CRMSNtide]

I personally think he'll still go top 5, yes he has some question marks around him.
But his instincts, anticipation, release and accuracy are just so elite, he could be an all timer, someone will pull the trigger early and draft him.

But, what if Tua just likes the college life? Loves Alabama football and wants to finish it out right?
i could see him coming back for that reason , especially if others like Ruggs, Smith and Leatherwood come back too.

 

[Con]

I just saw a mock draft that said the Dolphins will take him with the 4th pick overall. So, we don't really know where he'll go but I feel pretty certain that CNS can use his connections to get a really good projection for Tua so he can make a truly informed decision.

I love me some Tua, but there is no way if I am a GM of an NFL team that I am taking him that high if there is a chance he may not be able to be close to the same QB. I would take a shot at him later in the draft, but not top 5. The timing of everything is wha is bad with this whole deal for Tua.

 

[bamamc1]

One thing, in my opinion that may lend to Tua staying, is he is marketable right now and will be if he never plays again. His personality, reputation, and most importantly play on the field is tremendous. I said all of that to say this: if he comes back and has a great year his stock will only rise. If something happens, he'll be remembered as the guy that loved the college game. ESPN, CBS, etc. would do back flips to get him on board especially on one of the pregame shows and he has the knowledge and most important, personality to be a hit.

Tua's going to be fine one way or another and I'll support him always. RTR

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I just saw a mock draft that said the Dolphins will take him with the 4th pick overall. So, we don't really know where he'll go but I feel pretty certain that CNS can use his connections to get a really good projection for Tua so he can make a truly informed decision.

They very well might. Then you have other mock drafts showing him go mid to late round. Also, people in the GM circles who are "hearing" mid to late first. I think the more logical conservative guess is until an owner/general manager can physically watch Tua replicate "football moves" post injury that he did pre-injury. Regardless if it's at the combine, private workout etc. They aren't using a top five or even a top ten pick on him. It's waaaay too risky for a team to invest that type money in someone and a position that if you miss. Will set you back possibly another five years.

 

[spidermayin]

They very well might. Then you have other mock drafts showing him go mid to late round. Also, people in the GM circles who are "hearing" mid to late first. I think the more logical conservative guess is until an owner/general manager can physically watch Tua replicate "football moves" post injury that he did pre-injury. Regardless if it's at the combine, private workout etc. They aren't using a top five or even a top ten pick on him. It's waaaay too risky for a team to invest that type money in someone and a position that if you miss. Will set you back possibly another five years.

Miami does have multiple draft picks in the first round. They could pick up Tua with the 4th pick and then the risk wouldn't be super high because they get two more picks later in the round. All the Mocks I have seen either has him going to Miami at 4, or the LA Chargers at 10. If he somehow makes it past Miami's 4th pick, then I would bet the farm that Miami picks him with one of their later picks, assuming nobody else snags him. I would love to see Tua play in Crimson again, but he's definitely going to be a first round pick. I mean Miami could call him up and say "We're taking you at 4, don't go back to Bama".

 

[bamacon]

Miami does have multiple draft picks in the first round. They could pick up Tua with the 4th pick and then the risk wouldn't be super high because they get two more picks later in the round. All the Mocks I have seen either has him going to Miami at 4, or the LA Chargers at 10. If he somehow makes it past Miami's 4th pick, then I would bet the farm that Miami picks him with one of their later picks, assuming nobody else snags him. I would love to see Tua play in Crimson again, but he's definitely going to be a first round pick. I mean Miami could call him up and say "We're taking you at 4, don't go back to Bama".

I think this is precisely what he’s waiting on. When you see 7 teams in the top 15 that absolutely must have a QB it’s hard to believe that at least ONE won’t take a chance. The money for rookie QBs is soooooooooooo much less and it has that 5th year option that even a number 1 pick is a bargain if they pan out.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I think this is precisely what he’s waiting on. When you see 7 teams in the top 15 that absolutely must have a QB it’s hard to believe that at least ONE won’t take a chance. The money for rookie QBs is soooooooooooo much less and it has that 5th year option that even a number 1 pick is a bargain if they pan out.

Sam Bradford would be an example that NFL GMs use to stay away.

Many will want proof he can stay healthy. Otherwise he will be a big risk. And those aren’t often drafted early when there are reasonable alternatives around.

That’s why I think he returns. Bionic ankles. He should stay healthy. I blame the ankle injury for the hip injury. He got hurt protecting the ankle instead of going down naturally. He shifted the force weight to the hip by trying not to use the ankles to balance himself as he was falling. It was likely an instinctive choice.

If he can regain 95% to the hip, he will prove he can stay healthy. I think he returns.

 

[Tider n LA]

Whether if Tua stays or goes, it doesn't mean he will even play next season. He had a nasty injury.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

Whether if Tua stays or goes, it doesn't mean he will even play next season. He had a nasty injury.

I think the report is that he is expected to be 100 by mid summer... I think he miss 1 or 2 games and then back in action.

 

[Tider n LA]

I think the report is that he is expected to be 100 by mid summer... I think he miss 1 or 2 games and then back in action.

Bo Jackson told Tua don't come back to soon and Tua admitted he will not be the exact same as he was before. He won't be able to rotate it internally the same way.

 

[BamaMoon]

I think the report is that he is expected to be 100 by mid summer... I think he miss 1 or 2 games and then back in action.

If he's 100 % by midsummer I don't think he'd miss a game at the beginning of the year.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I think the report is that he is expected to be 100 by mid summer... I think he miss 1 or 2 games and then back in action.

And this is why I don't believe an NFL team is going to use a top 15 to 20 pick on him. It's too important of a position to assume he's going to get back to elite ability.