Colts Round 2, Pick 45: Ohio State Defensive End JT Tuimoloau
Colts Round 2, Pick 45 Recap: Ohio State Defensive End JT Tuimoloau
INDIANAPOLIS – Chris Ballard’s affinity for taking defensive linemen early in drafts was again on display in 2025.
With the 45th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Colts took Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau in Round Two.
Here are 3 takeaways on Tuimoloau:
Motor Coming to Defensive End
Our second-ranked Colts need entering the draft met Round 2 with Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau (6-4, 264). For anyone that watched Ohio State’s run to the National Title, Tuimoloau was a consistent presence in the backfield. He was a 3-time 1st team Big-Ten selection with the Buckeyes. Tuimoloau had a decorated final season at Ohio State, finishing with 21.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. With the departure of Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency, the Colts have open early-down edge rushing stats, particularly if they want to keep Laiatu Latu in more of a pass-rushing focused role. Remember, Samson Ebukam is coming off a ton Achilles, and Kwity Paye is a contract year.
Huge College Football Playoff
Perhaps the most impressive part of the Tuimoloau resume was what he did in Ohio State’s historic run of beating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame to win the National Title. In those 4 games, Tuimoloau produced 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback pressures. Certainly, that high-level production, against those teams and on those stages had to impress the Colts. Think more of a power rusher, with long arms, as the strength for Tuimoloau (he also had 12 passes defensed in his career). As a rookie, expect Tuimoloau to compete for defensive end reps with rotating cast of Paye, Latu, Ebukam and Lewis. And depending on how 2026 unfolds, he might be needed in a massive way as early as next year.
Yes, More Defensive End Help
With Laiatu Latu being the only Colts defensive end under contract past 2025, defensive end was always going to be one of focus. New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo wants to scout the Colts D-line differently in terms of desire traits so getting new blood into that room fits that. Tuimoloau joins the likes of Tyquan Lewis, Kemoko Turay, Ben Banogu, Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo and Laiatu Latu as first/second round defensive linemen drafted by Ballard.
