With rehab going well, but Tua Tagovailoa not in position to throw just yet, Alabama's junior quarterback could be leaning toward a return to the Capstone next season.

Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy said during Wednesday's Citrus Bowl broadcast that he believes Tagovailoa will come back for his final campaign.

"I think it’s a real possibility," McElroy said. "I really believe that’s what he’s going to do. I don't know that for certain I haven’t asked him specifically. I have talked to him and asked what factors are going to weigh into the decision. He said, ‘look it’s all about medical. How quickly can I get out there and showcase my abilities for teams? If I can’t work out and showcase my abilities on the field, then it’s going to be really tough for teams to evaluate me.’

"I think it’s all about the time table of his recovery. At this point, all signs point to him coming back."

McElroy, whose is as tied in as any to the Crimson Tide football program, was asked during what he would do if he was in Tagovailoa's shoes.

"I’d lean heavily on the medical evaluation he’s going to get in the coming weeks," McElroy said. "Try to make the most-informed decision possible. Knowing the time table of his recovery, knowing he might not be able to throw until mid-April, I’d come back."

Alabama coach Nick Saban addressed the latest for Tagovailoa, who is now more than six weeks removed from hip surgery and transitioning from his scooter to walking with crutches.

"(Tua is) doing well, everything so far has been really, really good in terms of his rehab and the progress he’s making," Saban told ESPN on Wednesday. "But this is a work in progress and it’s going to take a lot of time. He’s been working really, really hard and our medical staff has done a fabulous job with him from Day 1 of the surgery to how the rehab has gone."

ESPN college football analyst Marcus Spears assessed Tagovailoa's draft stock given his injury shortly after Saban's remarks.

"I think Tua is second-best quarterback in this draft and would be No. 1 if not for this injury,” Spears said on Wednesday's Get Up!. "We all know the kind of season Joe Burrow is having, but Tua is a tremendous quarterback and if you’re going to take a flier on anybody, you’re going to take one on a (guy) like Tua. He has the ability to place the football and play as (the leader).

"He has (shown) the ability to come a university with so much talent, and he has distributed to (those guys). Tua will be drafted high. Todd (McShay) is not off. Mel (Kiper Jr.) is not off. Scouts and general managers look at what Tua has been able to do pre-hip injury and they’re still going to draft him early and if he turns into what we think he will be, he’ll turn into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL."

Tagovailoa has until Jan. 20 to make his decision.