A star is born: Alabama fans are gushing over QB Tua Tagovailoa

Trailing 13-0 at halftime, Alabama made a decision to bench starting quarterback Jalen Hurts for true freshman Tua Tagovailoa.

It paid off.

Tagovailoa led the Crimson Tide to its fifth national title in the past nine years.

Alabama defeated Georgia 26-23 in overtime. Down 23-20 — and just one play after losing 16 yards on first down — Tagovailoa threw a perfect 41-yard bomb to DeVonta Smith.

Game over. Just like that.

Tagovailoa threw for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the second half.

Alabama fans — and the rest of the internet — reacted accordingly on Twitter:

The hardest jersey to find is going to be #13 Tua. Roll Tide! pic.twitter.com/vfsFCVLO0n

— Brad Travis (@BradTravisWAFF) January 9, 2018

My future 1st born will be named TUA! ROLL TIDE

— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) January 9, 2018

Roll Tide.

— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) January 9, 2018

What a job by Tua Tagovailoa, but better yet, what humility and class shown by Jalen Hurts to support the freshman. Stellar job from both.

— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) January 9, 2018

After Tua’s interview, I can confirm earlier tweets of mine.. DUDE IS GONNA COLLECT ALL OF THE HEISMANS

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 9, 2018

I’m naming everything else in my life Tua.

New kid? Tua
Dogs? Tua
Retirement boat? Tua

— the content is good (@BourbonGhost) January 9, 2018

Tua Tagovailoa:
0 starts
1 national championship
Amazing.#RollTide#nationalchampionship

— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) January 9, 2018

Tua Tagovailoa is gonna replace Tom Brady

— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) January 9, 2018

Georgia just Georgia’d and Tua is a legend.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 9, 2018

Leave Tua, and your Kirby Smart pic.twitter.com/3RlXpD5o7L

— PFTCommenter (@PFTCommenter) January 9, 2018

ROLL TIDE ROLL BABY!! Shout out Tua! @Tuaamann_ #RollTide

— jacob (@jacobashley_) January 9, 2018

Roll Tide!! Number 17 feels great. Tua is our QB now. Wish Jalen the best. But Tua is our man! We are NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN!! #RollTide

— Mark Edwards (@MarkEdwardsATL) January 9, 2018

Cody McClure

Cody McClure is an SEC Football Writer for Saturday Down South. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he also co-hosts a midday sports radio show for FOX Sports. Cody previously worked for Athlon Sports.