J.T.

Tuimoloau

Premium five-star high school recruit who became a program legend with three consecutive First Team All-Big Ten Conference selections. Exceptional 10.7 percent missed tackle rate with 39 stops bolstered his 87.2 run defense grade. Rose to the occasion in big games, racking up 20 pressures in the two games at Oregon and Tennessee, while registering 6.5 sacks in the CFP Playoff. Tuimoloau has been extremely productive and durable, posting 21.5 TFLs with 12.5 sacks last year for the National Champs. However, a subpar 11.8% win rate and modest 77.8 pass rush grade reflect Tuimoloau’s underdeveloped toolkit that could restrict his NFL upside. His rush plan is centered around brute strength with some tempo changes and a few reliable go-to moves to rely upon. He will hesitate at the snap as bait then rip inside and toss out a credible ghost move after setting blockers up. Tuimoloau got the requisite power edge profile to be a productive NFL contributor, but needs to develop more as a complete rusher.

Tuimolau (6'4/277) had whittled down his list of candidates to Oregon, USC, Washington and, naturally, Ohio State heading into his July 4 announcement. He joins fellow five-star OSU DE Jack Sawyer as two of the top three rated defensive linemen in the 2021 class, and you could make a case that they could be the best pair of defensive ends to ever commit to the same school from the same recruiting class. The Sammamish, WA product is rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation according to 247Sports and 24th all-time recruit in the modern scouting era. Though almost the entire 2021 class has committed already, Tuimolau steadfastly refused to offer his pledge until he could take on campus visits to his schools of interest.

Tuimoloau (6'4/277) is a straggler from the previous recruiting cycle. Unlike the vast majority of prospects in the class, who signed letters of intent despite being unable to take official visits, the Sammamish, Washington, native refused to budge before receiving an opportunity to do his due diligence in official style. All of the above official visits are scheduled for June, when the pandemic-forced dead period finally (finally) lifts. The 247Sports Crystal Ball currently pegs Tuimoloau as a future Buckeye, though obviously, OSU will need to finish strong if they are to net the five-star defensive lineman when all is said and done.

Tuimoloau (6'4/277) is considered to be the top defensive tackle prospect in the Class of 2021, and the Washington state native does not lack for high-level options when it comes to his recruitment. Among the programs that have offered are Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, USC and Washington, and in February it was reported that the Buckeyes are well positioned to reel him in. As for the player comparison Tuimoloau’s quickness and physical frame are two traits that he shares with Madubuike, who projects to be a productive starter at the NFL level.

“According to my colleague Brandon Huffman, the Buckeyes are in terrific shape (with Tuimoloau) at this point of the process with defensive line coach Larry Johnson’s track record a big factor,” Wiltfong writes of the 6-foot-4, 277-pounder. Beyond OSU, Washington, Alabama, Clemson and USC are additionally in the mix, here. The 247Sports composite board sees Tuimoloau home as the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2021 class. On the field, he plays with an easy, impressive glide.

“For someone his size, it is incredible how smoothly and easily Tuimoloau moves,” writes Rivals’ Adam Gorney of the 6-foot-4, 277-pounder. Gorney adds that the Bellevue, Washington, native has “the athletic prowess to be a devastating edge rusher.” Washington and Oregon are two programs to watch in Tuimoloau’s recruitment as it progresses over the coming months. Should he continue to add weight, Gorney has “no doubt [Tuimoloau] could move inside and be a fantastic gap-shooting defensive tackle.”

Tuimoloau remains the top prospect in the updated board, and it’s not a big surprised. The 6-foot-4, 277-pound defender is considered a can’t-miss prospect who can get to the quarterback, but also can help in the run game with the type of speed you see in a coverage linebacker. He plays for Eastside Catholic in Sammamish, Washington; and the Huskies are considered a slight favorite to land him with Alabama, Ohio State, USC and Stanford also in the mix.

Players in the 2021 class are just now entering their sophomore years of high school, so we’re talking a long, long way out into the future, here. Even early in his recruitment, though, the 6-foot-4, 277-pound Tuimoloau has flashed to an intriguing degree, with 247Sports analyst Brandon Huffman noting that he is “fast off the edge, physical at the line of scrimmage, can get to the quarterback and drop the running back in the backfield while the next play, drop into coverage to cover a tight end or back and break up a pass.” One note with the early 2021 rankings. At this juncture, no player has achieved five-star status, though it’s important to keep in mind that the both the star ratings and the rankings themselves will see significant modifications as this class progresses over the coming years.