J.T. Tuimoloau’s dominance isn’t a surprise to those who know him best

Dominic Daste’s phone was ringing all Saturday afternoon.

The head coach at Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Wash., was spending his day at home with his two young children. The top-15 matchup between Ohio State and Penn State was on in the background. He couldn’t watch intently but caught highlights throughout the game.

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But then he looked at his phone and noticed the messages and missed calls — and who they were from — and realized that his former player, J.T. Tuimoloau, was having a good game. He was right. And “good” is a bit of an understatement.

Tuimoloau stole the show in the 44-31 win at Penn State. The former five-star defensive end had a historic day, recording six tackles, three tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions (including a pick-six), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one deflected pass. No FBS player in the 2000s has had two interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in one game.

Daste was surprised by the stat sheet, but not by Tuimoloau’s success.

“It was really cool,” Daste said. “He’s a phenomenal athlete, a student of the game and pours every ounce he has into football.”

Saturday might’ve been Tuimoloau’s breakout game, but this is a performance the Ohio State staff has been anticipating.

Coach Ryan Day has referred to him as the “unsung hero” this year. He’s been close to big plays. On film, he’s often seen fighting through blocks that could (or should) have been flagged for holding. Or he’s applying pressure and moving the quarterback off his spot, forcing an errant throw or allowing a teammate to get the sack.

“He’s been right there and getting better every week,” Day said. “He’ll probably tell you he pressed a little bit at times, he’s wanted to get there. He believed in coach (Larry) Johnson, his teammates and the scheme. Those guys all support him.”

Tuimoloau’s last interception occurred in his sophomore year of high school. Saturday was the first time he’s ever had two in one game.

But he has scored touchdowns before.

In high school, Tuimoloau was known for his work as a dominant edge rusher, but he was also a productive tight end. He moved too well for Daste to leave him on one side of the ball.

“He was a phenomenal basketball player and you saw that stuff on the basketball court too,” Daste said. “He’s a super athletic guy. We went bowling one time and he bowled a 225. He’s so athletic that no matter what he does he’s going to be good at it.”

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In fact, Tuimoloau actually scored the game-winning touchdown in the 2019 Washington state title game. It was on a post route as the Y receiver.

Tuimoloau said his experience playing offense in high school helped with his pass catching on Saturday. So did his basketball background. There were rumors that he would also play basketball at Ohio State, but he has elected to focus on just one sport.

“Basketball allowed me to move laterally quickly,” he said.

Ohio State basketball legend J.T. Tuimoloau!

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) October 29, 2022

It shows on the field. Tuimoloau is 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds but doesn’t move like a typical edge rusher. Daste saw that right away. He saw the potential even when he played in the junior football program.

“He looked different. He didn’t look like a 14-year-old showing up to football,” Daste said. “It’s not rocket science. You can look at him and know he will be alright.”

In many ways Daste is right. Look at Tuimoloau’s stat sheet before Saturday and you might think he was struggling on the field. But turn on the film, and like Daste said, “it’s not rocket science,” to realize he’s been playing well all season.

He just had to wait for his time.

“I tell myself to let God handle it and let it come to you, and I think that’s what happened today,” he said after the Penn State game.

Tuimoloau has always been patient.

He committed to Ohio State on July 4, 2021, as the No. 4 player in his class. Tuimoloau had his pick of colleges but waited until the pandemic restrictions ended so he could get on campuses for visits.

Ohio State waited for Tuimoloau, holding a spot until he was ready to make a decision.

Everybody’s patience paid off Saturday.

Ohio State is now 8-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country after passing its biggest test of the season. A chance at a national championship is alive — thanks in large part to the hands of Tuimoloau.

(Photo: Matthew OHaren / USA Today)