Top-ranked Eastside Catholic football recruit J.T. Tuimoloau picks Ohio State
SAMMAMISH, Wash. (BVM) — There was hope for the Washington Huskies fanbase that local football star J.T. Tuimoloau would stay in state to play college football. The nation鈥檚 No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2021 had his list of possible destinations narrowed down to four schools and Washington was included along with Ohio State, Oregon and USC.
But on the Fourth of July, the 6-foot-5, 277-pound Eastside Catholic High School defensive lineman announced that he would be heading to Columbus, Ohio, to play for the Buckeyes. Tuimoloau waited until a lengthy recruiting dead period was lifted before taking official visits to all four of the schools, and it was Ohio State that felt like the best fit for the five-star recruit.
鈥淲e went out there as a family 鈥� me, mom, dad, and my little brother,鈥� Tuimoloau said following . 鈥淔or it being the first time in Columbus, we didn鈥檛 know what to expect. But it just felt like home.The people were very genuine. And with the players, it felt like a brotherhood.鈥�
Tuimoloau hopes to be the next in a line of immensely talented defensive linemen who have played for Ohio State and gone on to star in the NFL like 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young of the Washington Redskins and brothers Nick (Los Angeles Chargers) and Joey Bosa (San Francisco 49ers). Tuimoloau said it was important for him to join a program known for developing defensive line talent.
鈥淭hat was big on my list for me and my family was me developing not only as a player but as a person,鈥� Tuimoloau said, 鈥渁nd I feel like with what Coach [Larry] Johnson has been doing and his legacy behind it I feel like they can make it happen.鈥�
