What Buckeyes are getting in J.T. Tuimoloau
COLUMBUS — The Tim May Podcast is back for another episode, breaking down the top-ranked defensive recruit to ever commit to Ohio State.
J.T. Tuimoloau — the No. 1-ranked prospect in the country according to 247Sports.com in the class of 2021 — committed to the Buckeyes on Sunday afternoon. The defensive lineman announced his decision on CBSSports.com after a prolonged recruitment that was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tim welcomes on Tuimoloau’s high school coach, Dominic Daste, to discuss the impact of the 6-foot-5, 277-pound defensive lineman’s impact. The Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) product waited out the NCAA’s dead period. Tuimoloau took visits to Washington, USC, Ohio State and Oregon before entering decision mode. He was supposed to visit Alabama, but canceled the trip and ruled the Crimson Tide out as a possible landing spot.
Daste has spent time as an assistant coach with Montana and UNLV, and he had a chance to coach Tuimoloau again this spring. Since he didn’t enroll early, he played a final high school season at Eastside Catholic. The alma mater of current Ohio State tight end Gee Scott Jr., Tuimoloau made the rosters for the All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl.
Landing Tuimoloau’s recruitment is a huge win for Larry Johnson as the legendary defensive line coach continues to show why he is the best in college football. The expectation is for Tuimoloau to arrive at Ohio State at some time this week and immediately immerse himself in summer workouts. The five-star prospect will join a room that already includes Jack Sawyer, Tyreke Smith and Zach Harrison. He won’t be starting as a true freshman, but he is fully capable of contributing in his rookie season.
What does J.T. Tuimoloau bring to Ohio State? How can he make an impact this fall? And what kind of player is he like off the field?
Find out on this episode of the Tim May Podcast.
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