JT Tuimoloau 2025 NFL Draft: Ohio State EDGE Scouting Report

In a talented 2025 NFL Draft class, JT Tuimoloau is a versatile edge rusher with a solid frame. Tuimoloau is a strong defensive end who played football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook in this detailed scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.

JT Tuimoloau 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tuimoloau arrived at Ohio State as a heralded five-star recruit from Eastside Catholic High School in Washington, widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2021 class. A two-sport athlete with a basketball background, he brought an exceptional blend of size, athleticism, and versatility to Columbus.

Over his four-year career with the Buckeyes, Tuimoloau has developed into a cornerstone of college football’s best defensive lines. Ultimately, he showcased his ability to impact games as both a run defender and pass rusher. As a result, his NFL outlook is looking promising.

Overall, Tuimoloau possesses an ideal frame for an NFL defensive end with well-distributed muscle. His length and sturdy lower body give him a strong anchor against blockers. Additionally, his basketball agility shines through in lateral movements and short-area quickness. Though not an elite burner off the edge, his functional athleticism allows him to close quickly when in pursuit and generate power through contact.

HT: 6042
WT: 265
40: 4.67
ARM: 3368

Strengths

• Run Defense: Tuimoloau excels at setting the edge against the run, using his strong hands and leverage to stack offensive tackles and maintain gap discipline. His ability to shed blocks and funnel plays back inside is a testament to his play strength and football IQ.
• Power-Based Pass Rush: His bull rush is a standout tool, often overwhelming tackles with sheer force and driving them back into the quarterback’s lap. When he gets his pads low, he can collapse pockets with consistency.
• Instincts and Awareness: Tuimoloau’s feel for the game is exceptional—he frequently sniffs out screens, reads quarterback eyes, and gets his hands up to disrupt passing lanes. His knack for tipping passes or securing improbable interceptions adds a playmaking dimension to his profile.
• Motor and Effort: He plays with relentless energy, chasing down plays from the backside and rarely taking snaps off. This high-effort approach makes him a tone-setter on the defensive front.
• Versatility: While primarily a hand-in-the-dirt end, Tuimoloau has the athleticism to occasionally stand up or slide inside on passing downs, offering scheme flexibility.

Areas for Improvement

• Limited Bend and Twitch: Tuimoloau lacks the elite flexibility and explosiveness to win consistently with speed around the edge. His hip stiffness can prevent him from flattening his rush path, causing him to lose leverage against quicker tackles.
• Pass Rush Refinement: While his power moves are effective, his arsenal of counters remains underdeveloped. He can stall when his initial move fails, relying too heavily on strength rather than technical variety to disengage.
• Inconsistent Hand Timing: His hand placement and strike timing can be late or imprecise, allowing blockers to lock onto his frame and neutralize his momentum. This is particularly evident against more polished offensive linemen.
• Upright Stance Issues: At times, he plays too tall out of his stance, diminishing his leverage against double teams or combo blocks and making it harder to hold ground in congested areas.
• Ceiling as a Pass Rusher: While productive, Tuimoloau doesn’t project as a game-wrecking edge rusher at the next level due to his modest sack totals and lack of elite burst, capping his upside as a primary QB hunter.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Tuimoloau is a throwback edge defender whose physicality and football IQ make him a safe bet to contribute early in his NFL career. Unfortunately, he may never be the flashiest pass rusher. However, his ability to anchor a defensive line and make clutch plays ensures he’ll find a home at the next level. Teams looking for a dependable, hard-nosed end with room to grow will see Tuimoloau as a valuable Day 2 pickup in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Tuimoloau profiles as a high-floor, scheme-versatile defensive end best suited for a 4-3 base defense as a strong-side end. His ability to dominate the run game and contribute as a power rusher makes him an immediate asset on early downs, with the potential to develop into a three-down player if he refines his pass-rush technique. He’s unlikely to be a double-digit sack artist in the NFL. However, his combination of strength, instincts, and effort should see him settle into a reliable starter role—think a slightly less explosive version of Preston Smith or a more polished Derek Barnett. Look for Tuimoloau to go somewhere in the third round of the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

Round Grade: 3rd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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