Tua Tagovailoa says he’s 100 percent healthy, ready to play in NFL

Tua Tagovailoa, the Alabama quarterback recovering from a severe hip injury ahead of the NFL draft, says he’s 100 percent healthy.

He also believes he could perform like the dynamic player he was in college.

“I’d say I’m 100 percent right now,” Tagovailoa said on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday. “I’d say I’m ready to play.”

Tagovailoa’s hip recovery is one of the biggest storylines ahead of the draft, scheduled for April 23-25.

Tagovailoa suffered a dislocated hip and posterior hip wall fracture against Mississippi State on Nov. 16, and had surgery a few days later. He had thrown for more than 2,800 yards, 33 touchdowns and just three interceptions in nine games for the Crimson Tide last season as a junior before the injury. The season before, he threw for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games as the Tide lost to Clemson in the national title game.

Tagovailoa remains upbeat and positive about his health, and said he has experienced “little to none” soreness after his workouts.

“I feel as normal as can be,” Tagovialoa said. “I feel like if I had to go out there to perform, same way I did my sophomore year and my junior year being 100 percent healthy, I feel like I can go out there and do that.

“I’ve been really excited to actually be able to go out and throw the football and spin it around. It’s been a long process, four months waiting, going through all the physicals and the rehab. Just to be able to go out there and spin it, it’s been good.

“Just going throughout this process, just being able to run, throw, I haven’t felt sore or things like that.”

Tagovailoa has also spent time on video conference calls with teams around the NFL. He was coy when asked which teams he has spoken with.

“As much as I’d like to say, I kinda want to hide my cards, too. I just want to be discreet with all that, but it’s been pretty much a daily thing with these teams and virtual meetings, but they’ve been good all at the same time,” Tagovailoa said.

“You just never know what’s going to happen."