J.T. Tuimoloau and Jake Sawyer create a dynamic duo for Ohio State that could harass Big Ten QBs for the next few years
Fans of Ohio State football received an additional reason to celebrate this past July 4th. Late that afternoon, number one prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, J.T. Tuimoloau, announced his commitment to the Buckeyes. The Sammamish, WA native chose the Buckeyes over USC, Oregon, and Washington.
Tuimoloau’s commitment obviously is huge because landing the number one recruit in any year is significant. However, the more fascinating reason is OSU can now pair Tuimoloau with another incoming freshman, Jack Sawyer.
Sawyer, who was the number five overall recruit according to 247 Sports, committed to the Buckeyes very early in the cycle. Hailing from Pickerington, OH, Sawyer was focused on heading to Ohio State for quite some time. After committing, he helped to bring the rest of the 2021 recruiting class together.
The media members who follow recruiting feel that Tuimoloau, and potentially Sawyer, will be too talented to keep off the field as freshman. That’s not to say they will start for Ohio State, just that they may see their names on the two deep depth chart sooner than most.
From the brief glimpse Buckeye fans got to see in April’s spring game, Sawyer appears to be well on his way towards fulfilling that projection. Though defensive players cannot actually tackle the quarterback to the ground in the scrimmage, Sawyer was credited with three sacks.
Tuimoloau will have some catching up to do as the season draws near, but perhaps by mid-season will see more playing time as he adjusts to college life. By years-end though, Tuimoloau and Sawyer could be helping the Buckeyes on another playoff run.
While it’s exciting to think how these young players may help the Buckeyes in 2021, it’s their sophomore and junior seasons that may really excite fans. We see all the time how players mature physically once they get to the college level.
College strength and conditioning programs have become more popular thanks to social media platforms promoting the workouts players undergo. It’s not crazy to think OSU will be able to transform these talented youngsters into physically imposing players at the edge of the line.
Though the real maturation will happen under the tutelage of Larry Johnson, Ohio State defensive line coach and associate head coach. Under Johnson’s guidance, OSU has seen Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, and Chase Young all come into the program as highly touted recruits, and leave as top NFL draft picks.
Johnson’s reputation as an excellent recruiter, and more importantly, his reputation as a developer of talent is one reason Tuilomoau chose the Buckeyes. If anyone can get the most out of Tuilomoau and Sawyer, it will be the man who developed the Bosa brothers and Young.
Buckeye fans of course enjoyed watching Bosa and Young come through and don the scarlet and gray. Now they may be able to watch two players at the same time who may match that level of production. It’s a thought that makes an OSU fan smile, and a fan of any other team else shake their head in disbelief.