Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) attempts to tackle Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Zach Evans (26) during the first half of their game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Ohio Stadium.
JT Tuimoloau DE/EDGE Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
JT Tuimoloau DE/EDGE Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/20/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (91%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 05/10/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 03/20/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (91%*) | |
| Age: 21.11 DOB: 05/10/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 86.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Pass Rush: |
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84% |
| Run Defense: |
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89% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#47
Position rank:
#15
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| College Games: 52 College Snaps: 1988 | ||
ESPN RATING: 90/100
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247 RATING: 100/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jermaine Johnson II - Florida State |
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90% |
| Jaelan Phillips - Miami |
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88% |
| K.J. Henry - Clemson |
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87% |
Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 45 (IND)
Draft Profile: Bio
The journey from Sammamish, Washington to potential first-round NFL draft pick reads like a scout's dream scenario for JT Tuimoloau. The Eastside Catholic product arrived in Columbus as the highest-rated defensive prospect in Ohio State's modern recruiting era, bringing a rare blend of size and athleticism that made him a two-sport star. That basketball background - where he averaged 18 points per game as a senior while playing three positions - shows up repeatedly in his functional movement skills and spatial awareness on the football field.After making an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2021, Tuimoloau exploded onto the national scene with a sophomore campaign that included one of the most dominant individual defensive performances in recent college football history - a four-turnover masterpiece against Penn State that directly led to 21 Buckeye points. His junior season solidified his status as one of college football's premier defenders, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight year along with second-team All-America recognition from the AFCA.
His final collegiate season showcased why NFL teams will be salivating over his potential, as he racked up 12.5 sacks and consistently showed up in the biggest moments during Ohio State's championship run. From his early-season dominance against Michigan State to his two-sack performance in the national title game, Tuimoloau demonstrated the kind of clutch playmaking ability that separates good prospects from great ones.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Devastating power at the point of attack with heavy hands that shock blockers - watch the Oklahoma game where he walked their left tackle into the quarterback three straight plays
- Elite spatial awareness and instincts in the screen game, showing uncanny ability to sniff out misdirection and get hands in passing lanes
- Exceptional play strength to set a firm edge, consistently stacks and sheds blockers while maintaining gap integrity against the run
- Nasty spin move that he deploys with precise timing - his footwork here clearly benefits from his basketball background
- Rare combination of length and functional strength allows him to control blockers before they can get into his frame
- Shows advanced football IQ with ability to diagnose plays quickly and adjust on the fly - particularly evident against RPO-heavy teams
- Brings consistent energy and motor - routinely makes plays on the backside of runs through pure effort and athleticism
- Multi-sport background translates to exceptional body control and balance for his size when changing direction
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Initial burst off the snap is merely adequate - won't threaten elite NFL tackles with pure speed around the edge
- Hip flexibility can be limited when trying to bend the corner, causing him to drift upfield and lose leverage in his rush
- Hand usage in pass rush can be late or imprecise, allowing offensive linemen to get into his chest before he can deploy counters
- Occasionally plays too tall, particularly against double teams where he struggles to maintain leverage and hold his ground
- Pass rush plan can become predictable - needs to develop better sequencing of his moves to keep blockers guessing
Scouting Report: Summary
The tape shows a defender whose elite straight-line athleticism doesn't fully translate to his pass rush arsenal yet. While his closing burst jumps off the screen when pursuing ball carriers, that same explosiveness gets muted by mechanical inconsistencies when rushing the passer. The difference between his dominance against the run and his streaky pass rush production isn't surprising - it shows up clearly in his grade differential and on film, particularly against top-tier tackles.His athletic testing suggests untapped potential as a pass rusher. That speed at his size is rare, and when you combine it with his natural power and spatial awareness, the foundation for a complete edge defender is there. However, the film reveals a player whose pass rush technique and plan still need significant refinement to match his physical tools. The flashes are tantalizing - like his two-sack performance in the national title game - but consistency remains the missing piece.
What we're looking at is a high-floor defensive end with legitimate Pro Bowl upside if his pass rush development catches up to his run defense prowess. His elite run defense grade backs up what the tape shows - a player who can step in day one and anchor the strong side while his pass rush skills evolve. Given his proven production against elite competition, outstanding athletic testing, and room for technical growth, he profiles as a possible first round selection who should make an immediate impact as a base end with potential to develop into a three-down force.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
JT Tuimoloau percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate JT Tuimoloau (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
57.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
16.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.