Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa competes at The Opening Finals in Beaverton at Nike World Headquarters

(Billy Gates/The Oregonian)

The Opening Finals and Elite 11 quarterback competition at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, are loaded with quality prospects, including approximately 40 five-star talents, but the recruiting drama surrounding the signal-callers is limited.

With only California product Jack Sears uncommitted, major college football programs and fan bases are largely already aware of which signal-callers to follow and root for this week.

But one quarterback who could still provide recruiting fireworks is Alabama Crimson Tide commit Tua Tagovailoa, a 247Sports four-star prospect who is still planning to take all five official visits and confirmed he will take a trip to see the USC Trojans.

"Alabama and USC are the only official visits I know so far, but I know I'm going to take all five of my officials," he said.

For Tagovailoa, the Trojans stand out, not only with their coaching staff, but also the feel of the program.

"(The coaches are) a great bunch of guys. They are very faith-based as well... and I guess family-oriented as well," he said. "I committed early, because I didn't want to ruin relationships with not only with them, but other guys as well. I was kind of hard on USC. Everyone thought I was going to commit there, but it didn't happen. My relationship with them is still good."

Having grown up an Oregon Ducks and Marcus Mariota fan, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound signal-caller, out of Honolulu, Hawaii, is also still considering a future in Eugene, although a lack of contact makes that a significantly less likely option.

"Oregon is still up there, but I'm not too sure with everything," he said. "I haven't gotten to see the campus and I haven't stayed in contact with the coaches that well, so it's kind of hard to tell."

The recruiting drama surrounding Elite 11 quarterbacks is scant, but clearly Alabama, USC and Oregon are still on "Tua Watch."