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JT Tuimoloau

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JT Tuimoloau
Tuimoloau with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025
No. 91 – Indianapolis Colts
PositionDefensive end
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2003-05-10) May 10, 2003 (age 22)
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight264 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High schoolEastside Catholic (Sammamish, Washington)
CollegeOhio State (2021–2024)
NFL draft2025: 2nd round, 45th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Total tackles17
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jaylahn "JT" Tuimoloau (too-EE-MOH-lou-OW; born May 10, 2003) is an American professional football defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Colts in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. He was named the 2020 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year.

Early life

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Tuimoloau was born on May 10, 2003, in Tacoma, Washington, and grew up in Edgewood, Washington, located in north Pierce County.[1] In view of his size and athletic attributes and hoping to increase his prospects of an athletic scholarship, JT was encouraged by his family to commute several hours a day to attend Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish, Washington, a football powerhouse.[1]

At Eastside, Tuimoloau was named the 2020 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year.[2][3] A top national gridiron prospect, Tuimoloau attracted offers from West coast regional football powers such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Southern California, and UCLA as well as leading national programs like Notre Dame University, the University of Oklahoma, University of Alabama, Texas A&M, and the University of Michigan, before committing to play at the Ohio State University.[1]

He was also offered a basketball scholarship for the Oregon Ducks.[4]

College career

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Tuimolau played in every game at Ohio State as a freshman in 2021.[5] He finished the season with 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.[6] Tuimolau also considered playing basketball for the Buckeyes, but opted to focus on football.[7][8]

Against Penn State in 2022, he had two interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown, becoming the first FBS player to accomplish that since 2000.[9]

In his senior season of 2024, Tuimoloau helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship in the College Football Playoff.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m)		 265 lb
(120 kg)		 33+3⁄4 in
(0.86 m)		 10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		 4.38 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)		 9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		 24 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[10][11][12]

Tuimoloau was selected in the second round with the 45th pick in the 2025 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts.[13]

Tuimoloau saw his first NFL game action September 14, 2025, in a week 2 matchup against the Denver Broncos.[14]

Personal life

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Tuimoloau is the son of Ponce de Leon Faletoi and Alofa Tuimoloau.[15] He is a Christian.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Gregg Bell, "JT Tuimoloau: From Tacoma to Edgewood, Onto Busses, to Ohio State — and Into His NFL Dream," Tacoma News Tribune, March 2, 2025, p. B2.
  2. ^ "J.T. Tuimoloau Named the 2020-21 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year". Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  3. ^ VanHaaren, Tom (July 4, 2022). "J.T. Tuimoloau, No. 4-ranked prospect in 2021 class, commits to Ohio State Buckeyes". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Nemec, Andrew (March 10, 2021). "J.T. Tuimoloau, nation's No. 1 football prospect, receives Oregon Ducks basketball offer: Report". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  5. ^ Davis, Dillon (August 16, 2022). "Sawyer, Tuimoloau primed for breakouts". The Delaware Gazette. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  6. ^ Kaufman, Joey (August 17, 2022). "Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau feels quicker, comfortable". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  7. ^ Jardy, Adam (August 13, 2021). "Football? Basketball? J.T. Tuimoloau has rare shot to do both at OSU". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  8. ^ Lind, Andrew (July 7, 2021). "Ohio State Defensive End J.T. Tuimoloau "A Ways Away" From Playing Basketball". SI.com. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Shipley, Reice (October 29, 2022). "College football world reacts to historic J.T. Tuimoloau performance". The Comeback. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  10. ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "JT Tuimoloau Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  11. ^ "JT Tuimoloau College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  12. ^ Brown, Chase (March 27, 2025). "Buckeye Pro Day Central: Results, Videos, Sights and Sounds From Ohio State's 2025 Pro Day". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  13. ^ "Colts go with defense in second round of NFL draft". WTHR. April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  14. ^ "JT Tuimoloau: Player Statistics". Pro Football Reference.
  15. ^ "Ohio State Buckeyes 2024 Roster: JT Tuimoloau," Ohio State University, ohiostatebuckeyes.com
  16. ^ Doering, Joshua (January 15, 2025). "Ohio State enters title game led by faith-fueled veterans who 'give God all the credit'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
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