JT Tuimoloau, the formidable defensive end from Ohio State, has officially joined the Indianapolis Colts as their second-round pick in the NFL Draft, selected 45th overall. His arrival brings a mix of excitement and scrutiny, as he looks to establish himself in the league while silencing any lingering doubts about his potential.
Tuimoloau’s college career reached unprecedented levels during the 2022 semi-final game vs Penn State. He was the top player on the big stage in Seattle Friday Night dazzling the NFL crowd with 2 Ints, a forced fumble, a Fumble recovery, & 2 Sacks. This breakout game underscored his ability to perform under pressure and highlighted his potential as a key contributor on defense.
Tuimoloau’s cumulative stats from his senior year presented the challenge of the inconsistent narrative. To add to his historic campaign, he recorded an amazing 12.5 sacks on the season. That was a major jump from the 11 total sacks he recorded in his first three seasons combined. He received All-Big Ten honors for two consecutive seasons leading up to his senior year. Yet some critics were underwhelmed with his six sacks from last season and felt the total came in short of what they envisioned.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard came away believing in Tuimoloau’s talent saying, “He was phenomenal. Colts area scout Mike Lacy is all in on this sentiment. He emphasized Tuimoloau’s talent for showing up in big moments. Lacy remarked, “He knows he’s getting extra attention. He’s used to it … You just kind of see a guy strain a little bit harder, fight a little bit harder.”
The Colts see Tuimoloau as a rotational rusher in their deep pass-rushing rotation. They believe he possesses the versatility to serve as an interior rusher in sub-packages, which could lead to increased playing time. One thing this team is counting on is that Tuimoloau won’t be afraid of the spotlight in the most high-pressure moments.
As he gets ready to start this new chapter in his career, Tuimoloau is quite aware of the hill that lies ahead. He stated, “Whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do it. I’ll sacrifice my own to make sure we get a win.” This commitment is indicative of his team-first mentality and his exceptional desire to make a positive impact on the Colts’ defense.
As he approaches the point of focusing on an NFL future, Tuimoloau understands that his game’s gotta go well beyond simply overpowering guys. He mentioned, “I know the [early] production doesn’t show it, but I think the playoffs was just a little glimpse of who I am.” This kind of self-awareness can be your best friend. It will aid him in developing a deeper arsenal of pass-rush moves, which are necessary to succeed at the pros.
During the first third of the Buckeyes’ 2024 season, Tuimoloau dazzled NFL scouts. He excelled as both an edge rusher and run defender. NFL evaluators struggled to find a weakness in his game, and that’s a testament to the overall high-level talent he possesses. Armed with a teachable attitude and the kind of traits that are often seen in all-pro talents, Tuimoloau seems poised to take off with the Colts.
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