2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

Is Tuimoloau the rare early-round sleeper?

The 2025 NFL Draft is simply stacked with talented edge defenders. So much so that it seems like everywhere you turn there’s another one who would grab headlines in almost any other draft.

Ohio State’s J.T. Tuimoloau, for instance, has prototypical size, is a solid athlete for the position, and was highly productive on a National Championship team. That’s the sort of profile that should be generating national buzz, yet Tuimoloau is barely on the fringes of the conversation.

The New York Giants may not draft an edge defender with their top pick, but could stand to add depth to an already good unit. Could that make Tuimoloau an option if he slips to the second day?

Prospect: J.T. Tuimoloau (44)
Games Watched: vs. Iowa (2024), vs. Oregon (2024), vs. Penn State (2024), vs. Indiana (2024)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Play strength
• Technical savvy
• Versatility
• Competitive toughness

J.T. Tuimoloau is a well-rounded and versatile edge defender who can help a defense in a variety of ways.

He sports a prototypical and versatile build at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, with solid arm length and athletic traits. He doesn’t stand out in any one area, but has solid size, play strength, athleticism, and technique. Tuimoloau is able to play effectively out of a two or three-point stance, and is technically skilled off the edge. He typically times the snap well and has a crisp first step with little wasted energy.

He’s able to mix power, speed, and finesse in his rushes and does a good job of defeating blockers hands before they can gain purchase on him. Furthermore, Tuimoloau understands how to rush with a plan, as well as how to string multiple moves together or set up blockers for counters. While he is primarily a power rusher, he also uses an effective club, rip, swipe, and spin moves to win in a variety of ways and be less predictable for blockers.

Tuimoloau is also a capable run defender, with enough play strength to hold blocks on the edge, as well as the quickness to disengage and make plays on the ball carrier. He’s a reliable tackler who does a good job of getting the ball carrier on the ground, and was a productive TFL and sack producer for OSU.

He’s also capable of dropping into shallow coverage and helping to disguise pressures, though he probably shouldn’t be asked to play coverage regularly.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Overall athleticism

Tuimoloau has few true weaknesses as an edge defender.

The greatest issue in his profile is that he’s a “good-but-not-great” athlete. While that isn’t a true weakness, he doesn’t quite project to be a dynamic playmaker off the edge. Tuimoloau won’t stress tackles with his speed and agility, nor will he overwhelm them with his strength and power.

He has a diverse toolkit which should help him find answers in a variety of situations, but teams may prefer prospects with more elite athletic traits.

Game Tape

(Tuimoloau is the Ohio State EDGE wearing number 44 and long sleeves.)

Projection

T.J. Tuimoloau projects as a rotational edge defender with scheme diversity and the upside to be a starter in the right situation.

He has solid quickness, agility, strength, and size, which should make him a player who teams can feel good about being on the field for any down and distance. He doesn’t quite have the athleticism to be a truly feared rusher, but he’s able to be consistently productive.

Tuimoloau should be able to line up in just about any defensive scheme and be a reliable, productive player. And while he might not have the raw athletic talent to set himself apart in this draft class, he shouldn’t have any problem finding the field in the NFL.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, though as more of a rotational piece.

Final Word: A good Day 2 value