'Y’all stole one' – former Ohio State star praises Texas coaching hire following National Championship season
The Ohio State Buckeyes are fresh off of a National Title victory over Notre Dame, their first since the 2014 season. A big reason for that is their defensive line, which was star-studded and extremely deep. As a defense, they allowed just 87.6 rushing yards per game and 53 sacks. Senior defensive end JT Tuimoloau […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes are fresh off of a National Title victory over Notre Dame, their first since the 2014 season. A big reason for that is their defensive line, which was star-studded and extremely deep. As a defense, they allowed just 87.6 rushing yards per game and 53 sacks.
Senior defensive end JT Tuimoloau had been a mainstay on the Buckeye defensive line for several years, but put together his finest season in 2024. He led the team with 22 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, while adding 61 total tackles and two forced fumbles.
After that type of season for the defensive line, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that other programs were out to lure some of the Ohio State coaches away. That included former defensive line graduate assistant LaAllen Clark, who was hired by the University of Texas to become the team’s outside linebackers coach. Clark spent two seasons in that role with the Buckeyes.
At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Tuimoloau was asked about working with Coach Clark and his thoughts on him as a coach. The former Buckeyes star pass rusher had a lot of things to say to get Longhorn fans excited.
"Are you from Texas? Yea, y’all stole one, y’all stole one. Coach (LaAllen) Clark, that’s my guy. He came in with a chip on his shoulder, all the ranks he’s been through coaching on the college ranks. He knows a lot. You guys are getting one of the best coaches. I mean he was under Coach (Larry Johnson) so he knows ball. He’s going to go there and contribute big time. He’s very energetic. He’s young but he knows the game from my eyes in a way. That’s my guy, and I still talk to him to this day. I’m sending all the prayers and just blessings over to him and his room. I’m excited to see what he does and I’ll have to check it out some time."
Before making his way to Columbus, Clark spent time as a defensive ends coach with Grambling State, Northwestern State, and Southern. Coach Clark is also the CEO of LC Performance, which is a football training organization that has helped to develop some of the NFL’s best pass rushers, including Jeffrey Simmons, Ed Oliver, and Danielle Hunter.
Who knows just how good of a position coach Clark will be, but the endorsement from Tuimoloau was very strong. Texas fans should be excited to see all he can accomplish with the program.
