NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When Marcus Mariota accepted the Heisman Trophy during his final college season, he made a speech that was meant to inspire others in his home state.
On Monday night, another Hawaiian quarterback took center stage in Tua Tagovailoa, who came off the bench to guide Alabama to a national title game win over Georgia.
"The kid is a stud," Mariota said of Tagovailoa. "He's the next guy coming up. I'm proud of him. From where that kid has come from and how he has grown and how he handled the situation last night, it was very impressive. He is a special player and hopefully he can continue the success."
Tagovailoa, who went to the same high school (Saint Louis) as Mariota did in Honolulu, threw three touchdowns, the final one lifting the Crimson Tide a 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia.
Tagovailoa's 41-yard bomb to receiver DeVonta Smith on the second possession of overtime caused the Titans quarterback to jump off his couch in Nashville. He texted Tagovailoa, but thinks he was probably one of hundreds to do so.
"It is nice to see someone like him continue to carry the torch from back home and hopefully he can continue to take it to higher standards," Mariota said.
"He has done it all himself. Where he gets his humility is from his family, and how he carries himself is really from where we grew up. He is young, and I hope he used this as motivation to continue to get better and see how far he can take it."
Mariota and Tagovailoa have history together.
Tagovailoa attended a Saint Louis football camp when he was in the fourth grade, and in a story in The Oregonian back in 2014, he said Mariota took him under his wing at the camp.
Tagovailoa wanted to compete with kids older than him at the camp, and while other campers scoffed at the idea, Mariota helped him.
"Everybody would kind of look at me different, but the one person who stood out was Marcus," Tagovailoa told The Oregonian. "He didn't really separate me from everybody. He would teach me. While everyone else said, 'Get out of the way,' Marcus would just pull me aside – and he was one of the best quarterbacks there. Just to get taught by him and him giving me attention I didn't deserve, it was just awesome."
From there, the two quarterbacks developed a friendship.
"When I had no ride, Marcus would ask me if I wanted to grab a bite or something. He would take me to McDonald's just down the street," Tagovailoa said. "He'd talk to me about how life is, my family, school. Marcus is a really social guy and he took the time. I know I wasn't the only person he gave rides to and had conversations like that."
Mariota, as he continued preparations for Saturday's playoff game against the Patriots, said Tagovailoa has made his home state proud while doing what is dear to everyone from the islands:
"Keep Hawaii on your shoulder and represent it the best you can."
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the New England Patriots. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) is congratulated after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and New England Patriots defensive end Geneo Grissom, right, speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota passes against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) tackles New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after a reception during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) dives into the end zone for his second touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, looks for a receiver under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans offense lines up against the New England Patriots defense during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. . (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota celebrates his touchdown pass to Corey Davis as he runs past New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offense lines up against the Tennessee Titans defense during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. . (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans tackle Dennis Kelly (71) blocks New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, right, during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, is sacked for an 11-yard loss by Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey, right, in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, is sacked by a group of Tennessee Titans defenders in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores a touchdown on a 10-yard run ahead of New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty, right, in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 34-10. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a 23-yard touchdown pass as he is defended by New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel greets New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) before an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the New England Patriots in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) hangs onto New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) prepares to snap the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, greets New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
