Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
JT Tuimoloau, DE
School: Ohio State | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6’4” / 265 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2021* | Ohio State | Big Ten | FR | DE | 13 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022* | Ohio State | Big Ten | SO | DL | 13 | 16 | 12 | 28 | 11 | 3.5 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2023* | Ohio State | Big Ten | JR | DL | 13 | 12 | 26 | 38 | 7 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2024* | Ohio State | Big Ten | SR | DL | 16 | 35 | 26 | 61 | 22 | 12.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Career | 55 | 71 | 73 | 144 | 45 | 23.5 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 3 | |||||
Player Overview
JT Tuimoloau was such a gifted athlete in high school, he had a couple of choices for what sport to pursue in college. The basketball player could have accepted an offer to continue in that sport at the University of Oregon. The football player that was the top prospect in the country, named Polynesian High School Player of the Year, and led his team to two state championships in Washington had offers from several major programs. Tuimoloau chose to attend Ohio State, but thought he would play both sports for the Buckeyes. He ultimately decided to focus on only football.
That was probably the right decision because Tuimoloau saw the field early and often. He played in every game as a true freshman in 2021, accumulating modest stats in limited snaps. Tuimoloau announced himself in 2022 with a standout game against Penn State where he played a role in four turnovers, including a pick-six, in the win over the Nittany Lions. He’d be named first-team All-Big Ten for the season. In 2023, he improved on his sack numbers en route to another first-team All-Big Ten selection. He made his last season in Columbus his most productive, helping propel the Buckeyes to the National Championship while once again being named first-team All-Big Ten.
Strengths
- Prototypical size for a 4-3 DE
- Quick off the snap
- Heavy hands that jolt blockers
- Excellent vision into the backfield
- Strong enough to hold the edge in the run game
- Can be effective dropping into zone coverage
Weaknesses
- Hip tightness makes it hard for him to bend around blockers
- Despite being a good athlete, not a rusher that wins with speed
- Needs to string together pass rush moves more consistently
- Can miss tackles by leaving feet or not breaking down
Let’s See His Work
The Commanders will hold a formal meeting with Ohio State ED JT Tuimoloau, source said.
A look at his skillset v Oregon in the CFP⤵️ pic.twitter.com/DmfFxdcEq0
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 26, 2025
How He Fits on the Commanders
The Commanders signed several players to remake the defensive end position. Dante Fowler, Jr., Clelin Ferrell, and Dorrance Armstrong were added in free agency while Javontae Jean-Baptiste was a late-round draft pick. The position left many wanting not only more production, but better run-stopping ability. Fowler, Jr. was the most productive of the bunch, but will be a free agent along with Ferrell.
JT Tuimoloau would bring much needed size and athleticism to the position. He has plenty of strength to set the edge in the run game and bull rush a tackle. While he isn’t the speediest or bendiest, he has good get off at the snap as well as straight-line speed. Tuimoloau has the talent to start opposite Dorance Armstrong as a rookie because he has a high floor. There should be no problem stopping the run right away. It will allow him to stay on the field while he improves elements of his pass rushing. While he may not be the dynamic rusher many fans are looking for, Tuimoloau should at worst be a reliable starter for the Commanders.