Indianapolis Colts select JT Tuimoloau in second round of 2025 NFL Draft

Ohio State EDGE JT Tuimoloau is officially heading to the NFL. He heard his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Tuimoloau in the second round of the draft. He put together a standout career at Ohio State, anchoring the pass rush while leading the Buckeyes to a national title.

As a senior in 2024, Tuimoloau put together the best numbers of his career. He set new career-highs with 61 tackles, 22 sacks and a Big Ten-leading 12.5 sacks. During the College Football Playoff, he made a major impact, recording 6.5 sacks across the four games – including two in each victory over Tennessee and Oregon.

Tuimoloau was draft-eligible a year ago, but chose to return for one final year at Ohio State. He ends his career a champion and will now take his skills to the next level.

Tuimoloau played high school football at Sammamash (Wash.) Eastside Catholic, where he was a Five Star Plus+ recruit – which means he was one of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five star. He was the No. 5 overall player from the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about JT Tuimoloau

JT Tuimoloau wreaked havoc on opposing offenses during his time in Columbus, and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein cited his size and quickness as reasons he was effective. He projected Tuimoloau to be a potential starter in the league, but still has some work to do even after the leap forward.

“Rugged edge defender with the size, length and toughness to play up or down in hybrid fronts. Tuimoloau plays to his size,” Zierlein wrote. “His game revolves around power and force. He uses well-timed strikes and good length to stay separated and shed the block cleanly. He plays hard but has average pursuit quickness outside the box and trouble holding his ground against drive blockers in-line.

“Tuimoloau’s power rush helped him tear through the expanded College Football Playoff, with 6.5 sacks over four games, but his rush plan and hand work need refinement to maintain the momentum he built as a rusher during the 2024 season. He’s unlikely to become a star but his traits and demeanor fit the profile of a good NFL starter.”