Ohio State football: Nation’s top 2021 recruit impressed after visit

The Ohio State football program is feeling really confident after J.T. Tuimoloau’s visit this past weekend.

In the time leading up to the official visit of J.T. Tuimoloau, the nation’s top 2021 recruit, I felt an advantage Ohio State had over his other four finalists was he had never been to see the Buckeyes yet. The defensive end from Sammamish, Washington had already taken unofficial visits to Alabama, Washington, USC, and Oregon. Ryan Day and his staff had a chance to make a completely fresh impression on him. Tuimoloau’s reaction to the visit makes it appear they did just that,

"“It surpassed them, most definitely. This is why they were in my top five.  I was honestly excited, they surpassed whatever expectations I had before.  I was looking forward to what they had and they had everything we wanted and needed.”"

This is exactly what you want to hear from Tuimoloau if you’re an Ohio State football fan. He spoke extensively with Brandon Huffman, 247 Sports’ National Recruiting Editor, about his visit to the Buckeyes. One word that came up often in his conversation with Huffman was real. He used it often to describe conversations with various members of the Buckeyes’ program and felt everyone he and his family came in contact with was very genuine, “I always felt like they shot it straight with us.”

Tuimoloau talked to many players but spent a lot of time getting questions about the Buckeyes answered by veteran defensive lineman Haskell Garrett. Former high school teammate Gee Scott, Jr. also spent a good bit of time with him. While he had dinner with Ryan Day and talked with defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs, perhaps nobody impressed Tuimoloau as much as defensive line coach Larry Johnson,

"“Coach Johnson, man, that guy is very smart, he really knows what he’s doing. Talking to him in person, you just know, he knows what he’s doing. You can see it, how he’s producing.  It’s kind of hard to put it in words, but he’s the kind of get who gets you there to where you want to be. He talks with you about all of the little things, he sees things you don’t see and breaks them down. There is a reason why you see a lot of his players in the league making a name for themselves.  That guy is just real.”"

There’s that word again. Real. Considering Johnson is the coach Tuimoloau will spend the most time if he joins the program, you want him coming away from a conversation impressed. Another facet of the Ohio State program which impressed him is their preparedness for NIL (Name, Image, Likeness),

"“They have a direction they want to go and they said they were headed right in the direction. They have a plan in place for NIL and and know what they’re going to do so whenever it’s all set, they’re ready to take off as soon as the NCAA is ready.”"

Much has been made of the possible impact NIL will have on college football. This is the first time it could impact Ohio State’s recruiting and they’re obviously ready by making it a part of their sales pitch.

Much was also made on message boards of rival schools about the Ohio State football coaches showing up at the airport to greet Tuimoloau and his family. They had a grand time making fun of Ryan Day and his staff for this decision. I wonder what they’re thinking now after Tuimoloau made this comment,

"“The whole coaching staff, didn’t know they would all be at the airport, so it was very surprising how much they showed they cared.”"

Message board trolls can make all of the comments they like, but Ohio State does not appear to have missed any opportunity to impress Tuimoloau.

Some have been extremely concerned about Alabama getting the final visit. They feel this means the Tide has the upper hand right now. Jeremy Birmingham of Letterman Row makes an astute observation comparing Tuimoloau’s visits to the two schools.

He points out Ohio State hosted four official visitors for the 2022 class this past weekend. The Buckeyes’ staff had plenty of time to devote to the prized recruit. Alabama will be hosting nine recruits when Tuimoloau visits this upcoming weekend, along with a lot of other players in the 2022 and 2023 classes. Nick Saban and the Tide coaches might be stretched thin when making sure all of these players get proper attention. It may make a difference, it may not. But, in this battle, every little bit helps.

Here is the bottom line: I think the Buckeyes are in a very, very good spot right now with Tuimoloau. Each recruiting expert I’ve read feels the same. Some think Alabama getting the final visit means they have a lead, but until those recruiting experts change their predictions for Tuimoloau to the Tide, I think he’s heading towards giving his commitment to the Ohio State football program. If that happens, it will be exactly what Buckeye fans want to hear yet again.