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Twitter: @JT_tuimoloau
Instagram: @_.officialjt._
Pronunciation: TWO-ee-mo-lo-ow
Ohio State Overview
• JT was a leader on Ohio State's defense for his entire career, playing in all 55 games from 2021-24 and starting 42 consecutive games
• He was a three-time all-Big Ten Conference first-team performer (2022-23-24) who amassed 144 career tackles, 16 quarterback hurries and 10 pass break-ups as a defensive end
• Finished his Ohio State career with Top 10 school totals in tackles-for-loss and quarterback sacks
• His career totals of 43.5 TFLs and 220 yards lost rank eighth and sixth at Ohio State, respectively, while his 2024 season totals of 21.5 TFLs and 105 yards lost rank fourth and sixth
• In terms of quarterback sacks, JT's totals of 23.5 career sacks and 169 lost yards rank sixth and eighth, respectively, and his 2024 season totals of 12.5 sacks and 80 yards lost rank fifth and sixth
• Part of an Ohio State defense that ranked in the top 5 nationally in at least eight major statistical categories, including ranking No. 1 in both total defense and scoring defense and No. 3 in rushing and passing defense
• Was outstanding throughout the four-game run that culminated with Ohio State winning the College Football Playoffs national championship, ranking third on the team in tackles with 23 while leading the way with 10 TFLs including 6.5 QB sacks
• Compiled 61 total tackles in 2024
• Set his personal bests with five solo tackles and eight total tackles in the CFP first-round win over Tennessee
• Also had seven tackles against Texas in the CFP semifinals and tied his personal best with five solo stops in the national championship game vs. Notre Dame
• Had a second-team All-America season in 2023 when he totaled 38 tackles and 7.0 tackles-for-loss, including 5.0 quarterback sacks
• Initially set his career-high with six tackles at Notre Dame
• As a sophomore in 2022, he was named first-team all-Big Ten Conference after a 28-tackle season that included 10.5 TFLs totaling 39 yards and 3.5 sacks
• 2022 stats also included two interceptions, including a pick-6, four PBUs, four QB hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery
• Had one of the great defensive performances ever by a defensive lineman in the Buckeyes' 44-31 win at Penn State with career-high six tackles, three TFLs, including two sacks, two interceptions with one a pick-6, one PBU, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery
• In all, he had a part in forcing four takeaways vs. Penn State which directly led to 21 Ohio State points
• He was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, the Bednarik Award Player of the Week and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against the Nittany Lions
• Contributed 17 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles-for-losses totalling 30 yards as a true freshman in 2021
• Had quarterback sacks in consecutive games vs. Maryland, Indiana and Penn State
• Registered three tackles in the Rose Bowl win vs. Utah
• Is majoring in communications
Honors & Awards
2024: All-Big Ten Conference (first-team, coaches and media)
2023: Second-team All-America (AFCA), All-Big Ten Conference (first-team, coaches and media)
2022: All-Big Ten (first-team, media)
More on JT
• Made his commitment to Ohio State on July 4, 2021, becoming the final member of the 2021 recruiting class
• Is the highest-rated defensive prospect to sign with Ohio State in the modern recruiting era (2000-present).
• The nation’s No. 1-rated overall prospect according to 247Sports.com
• His commitment gave the Buckeyes four of the nation’s top-10 ranked players in the 2021 signing class.
• Named the 2021 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year.
• Led Eastside Catholic to a pair of 3A state titles in his career (2018 and 2019).
• Named the SBLive Washington Player of the Year despite a shortened high school season that occurred in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• As a junior in 2019, he led Eastside Catholic in tackles (64) and sacks (11).
• Was a 2020 All-American Bowl selection
• Selected as SBLive’s 3A Senior Athlete of the Year
• Four-year member of the Eastside Catholic basketball team with a career scoring average of 11.1 points per game.
• In a pandemic-shortened senior season, he averaged 18.0 points per game and eight rebounds while playing guard, forward and center.
• Is the son of Ponce de Leon Faletoi and Alofa Tuimoloau
2024 Football Roster
Tuimoloau, JT
Jersey Number 44
JT Tuimoloau
- Position:
- Defensive End
- Height:
- 6-5
- Weight:
- 269
- Hometown:
- Edgewood, Wash.
- Last School:
- Eastside Catholic
- Year:
- Senior
Bio
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