Ohio State DE J.T. Tuimoloau Reveals Secrets to Athleticism

The Buckeyes junior said his time on the basketball court has helped him become more explosive on the football field during Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday.

Believe it or not, the secret behind Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau's explosive speed comes from almost a sport that is almost the complete opposite of football: basketball.

The Buckeyes junior spent plenty of time on the court during his time at Eastside Catholic School in Edgewood, Washington. A multi-sport athlete with the Crusaders, Tuimoloau partially credited the quick turnaround between the Fall and Winter athletic seasons as what gave him his speed.

"Being able to guard guards at 250 (pounds) in high school and you're just coming straight out of football, it tests you a lot," Tuimoloau said on Tuesday during Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Tuimoloau averaged 11.1 points per game during his four-year basketball career at Eastside Catholic. The 6-foot-4 Tuimoloau finished his shortened senior season (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with an 18 points-per-night scoring clip.

As for how his time on the hardwood relates to football, Tuimoloau described several instances in which players at his position require speed.

"I think here, being able to react quickly or move laterally quick, whether it's dropping back in coverage and you find yourself running with a wheel, and it's a running back who probably runs a 4.4 or 4.3 (40-yard dash) but you have to have some way to have an edge," Tuimoloau said. "That's one thing basketball has helped me with... my stamina and my quick twitch."

One of Tuimoloau's biggest highlights from last season was his performance against Penn State, a game which Ohio State won, 44-31. The 2021 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year racked up two sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble (which he recovered) before the final whistle.

For what feats Tuimoloau will use his basketball speed this season, however, is still a mystery.

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