Five-star defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau announced his commitment to Ohio State in a televised decision special Sunday.
Tuimoloau is ranked the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports, No. 4 overall by ESPN and No. 6 overall by Rivals. He was the highest-ranked recruit in the class who had yet to make a college decision.
From Sammamish, Wash., he picked the Buckeyes over Oregon, Washington and Southern Cal. He made official visits to each of those schools in June and canceled a planned trip to Alabama.
Tuimoloau marks the fifth five-star prospect in the class to choose Ohio State, following defensive lineman Jack Sawyer, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and quarterback Kyle McCord. The Buckeyes’ 2021 class is ranked No. 2 overall, behind only Alabama, by 247Sports.
The Buckeyes and Crimson Tide each have three of the Top 10 players in the 2021 class. Southern Cal, Georgia, Oklahoma and Miami have one each.
Tuimoloau, who checks in at 6-foot-5 and about 280 pounds, is considered a versatile prospect who can play both on the end and inside at tackle. He will need to make travel arrangements for Columbus quickly, as the 2021 college football season begins in less than eight weeks. He is expected on campus this week.
Ohio State opens the following week with a Big Ten showdown at Minnesota on Sept. 2.
The Buckeyes also have a commitment from the No. 1 player in the 2022 class on the 247Sports composite, quarterback Quinn Ewers of Southlake, Texas. That Buckeyes class, currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, has four five-star commits.
–Field Level Media