J.T. Tuimoloau knew he had to play catch-up after arriving on campus at Ohio State six months later than most members of his recruiting class.
There was no puffing out his chest or expectation of immediate playing time due to his national recruiting status. Rather, the five-star defensive end took a workmanlike approach to his first several weeks in the program, throwing himself into preparation and soaking up as much as possible to make up for lost time.
“It was just, keep your head down and stay in the books and stay back a little later to watch film or to meet with (defensive line coach Larry Johnson) one-on-one,” Tuimoloau said. “That was my motto coming in is after every practice watch film with him and ask the older dudes just little tips and things I can get from them to apply to my game. That was it for me, just keep your head down, watch film, do the extra work so it can get you more prepared.”
The approach paid off. A month after his first practice in scarlet and gray, Tuimoloau played double-digit snaps in the Buckeyes’ season opener, a contest against a credentialed Big Ten opponent no less. Tuimoloau didn’t play fewer than 10 snaps in any game over the duration of the regular season, and there’s little doubt he’ll see a similar workload in the Rose Bowl – if not an even bigger role.
But before his final game as a true freshman, Tuimoloau is still marveling at how far he’s come in the program – both on and off the field – in such a short period of time.
“When I first got here, I didn’t really talk to anybody, I was quiet for at least two weeks,” Tuimoloau said. “But I think as we kept moving forward, me and Jack (Sawyer)’s bond just grew. It’s on the field and off the field. We always talk about what we could do better or what move he used or how he used this move to get by a defender. We always help each other hand-to-hand. … Once I get to know them, I’m very talkative, but I think when I first got here I was like, ‘I came in pretty late, I gotta get on my stuff.’ I was very shy at a certain point, but it wasn’t until the older dudes and Jack and the rest of the freshmen in my class just helped me open up.”
He might have already emerged from his shell, but the Buckeyes certainly won’t expect Tuimoloau to be reserved moving forward. One starting Ohio State defensive end, Tyreke Smith, has already decided this will be his final season of college football. Zach Harrison, the other starting defensive end for the Buckeyes this season, still has a decision about his future looming. Javontae Jean-Baptiste could return for a fifth season in 2022, but Tuimoloau played only 50 fewer snaps than the redshirt junior despite being a true freshman in 2021.
Both Tuimoloau and Sawyer, another five-star true freshman pass-rusher, figure to have expanded roles next season. Even if that hasn’t manifested itself in bowl practices thus far, Sawyer said he’s seen a shift in both players ahead of the Rose Bowl.
“I think more so it’s kind of like our mindset’s changed a little bit. As this season’s kind of coming to a close and me and J.T. are developing and growing into men, I think we are starting to realize that we gotta take it to the next level with everyone we do,” Sawyer said. “We’re gonna have more of an important role next year and more of a leadership role next year that our defense needs. I think that’s kind of more the way it’s going for us right now.”
Due to Tuimoloau’s rushed build-up to the season, which featured no winter workouts or spring practices to help him adjust, the Washington native is eager to see how a proper offseason in the Buckeye program will help him make strides before his sophomore slate begins.
“I’m actually very excited just to get a full offseason, not only with Coach J, but as well as with (strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti) and everybody and the nutritionists,” Tuimoloau said. “Just get a full offseason before this season. I feel like I’m really excited to see my body and my technique level up.”
That’s not to say Tuimoloau believes he had a poor freshman campaign. After tallying 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup, Tuimoloau said he was actually surprised at how well he held up physically against Big Ten offensive linemen.
As early as the season opener against Minnesota, Tuimoloau said he noticed that practicing against Ohio State’s offensive line could oftentimes be tougher than the competition he faced in games.
“For the physical part, I feel like I did pretty well. I did a decent job going against the big O-linemen,” Tuimoloau said. “I was very surprised, but just knowing what I did before getting here, putting in the training and the dedication, I feel like it all paid off. I feel like the only thing that needed to change was just your mindset, basically. Transitioning from high school to college ball real quick, you just needed to change your mindset on it.”
Tuimoloau credited Sawyer, his family and frequent conversations with his father for helping him through the hardest parts of that transition. Tuimoloau said his dad often reminded him “there’s a reason you’re here” and that “sometimes you gotta sacrifice your extra time to get where you want to be.”
Tuimoloau heeded that advice, and it resulted in a solid first season given the circumstances surrounding his arrival to the program. Tuimoloau also knows that getting as many opportunities as he did despite his short time with the Buckeyes took a great deal of trust from the coaching staff at Ohio State, which he is openly thankful for.
“I feel like I had a decent season. I got here three-and-a-half months ago, and just taking everything in from the older guys. With the season I had, I give my props to Coach J and the whole defensive staff for trusting me, because I know how late I got there,” Tuimoloau said. “I had to take in the whole defensive schemes as well as my brothers on the D-line unit and also the offensive line. Just getting me prepared and helping me through practice and fall camp and everything like that.”
But Tuimoloau believes the best is yet to come in his Buckeye career, and a significant step up could be right around the corner once he gets the chance to develop over the next several months.
“I feel like the next step for me is just keep doing what I’m doing but take it up one more notch,” Tuimoloau said. “Still keep my head down, be humble, keep God close and continue to be the better version of myself.”
