J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 269 lbs
School: Ohio State

Year	Tackles	Quarterback Pressures	Sacks
2024	23	31	9
2023	23	37	4
2022	17	32	7
2021	11	12	2

Pros:

• Build: At 6'5" 269 lbs, Tuimoloau has the physical attributes to play on Sundays. His build, which gives him plenty of mass and power, contributes in a big way to his abilities.
• Strength: Tuimoloau's strength shows up when setting an edge, turning rushers back to the inside of the field, and when he goes power against opposing offensive tackles. He has the raw strength to walk back offensive linemen and shrink the pocket for quarterbacks.
• Power moves: J.T. Tuimoloau doesn't have elite speed or speed moves, but his bull rush, long-arm, and counters to the inside are very effective. Those power moves treat him well.

Cons:

• Athleticism: Tuimoloau isn't going to overwhelm opposing offensive linemen with his athletic traits. He has good but not great speed, and fine but not great agility. His lack of top-end athleticism is something that limits his upside.
• Flexibility: Along with athleticism, Tuimoloau's flexibility isn't a strength of his as well. This combination makes taking the outside path a challenge against athletic offensive linemen who can match and meet him on the arc.
• Pass rush plan: At times, it looks like Tuimoloau's plan is to try and win with brute force. That certainly has its moments of being effective, but against top-end linemen, that isn't a viable long-term strategy. 

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Player Evaluation:

J.T. Tuimoloau was a highly-coveted recruit out of high school. He was a 5-star player that was ranked the No. 5 player in the country by On3. He started off his college career with 2.5 sacks as a true freshman, and over the next three seasons, peaked with 6.0 sacks this year as a senior. 

It feels like Tuimoloau is a very known commodity at this point, with little left under the surface that hasn't been reached. He's a strong, physical EDGE that can win with power, but without the athleticism, flexibility, and pass rush repertoire, his ceiling as a pass rusher at the next level is fairly limited.

Tuimoloau is still a good football player. He has good ability against the run, and good strength to hold the point of attack. He has the traits of an NFL player that will serve a valuable role, but not the athletic traits of a three-down starter. 

Player Comparison:

Sam Hubbard (Cincinnati Bengals)

Sam Hubbard, a fellow former Ohio State player that now plays in Cincinnati, is a name Buckeye fans will be familiar with. For Tuimoloau, Hubbard feels a bit like the best outcome. Hubbard has made a good career out of setting the edge, playing with strength and strong hands, and plays a versatile role on the Bengals defense. Hubbard settles in most seasons around six sacks, which feels like the best outcome from a pass rush standpoint for Tuimoloau.

A to Z Rankings:

A to Z Big Board Ranking: #86 overall, #13 EDGE

A to Z Draft Grade: 7.14

Draft Projection: Day 2 (7.01-8.00)