New intel on Ohio State defense’s last big NFL Draft decision for 2024

Note: This article preceded J.T. Tuimoloau’s announcement that he will return for a fourth season and put off the 2024 NFL Draft.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — When Buckeye Talk needed inside info on Ohio State football’s protracted recruitment of J.T. Tuimoloau in the summer of 2021, we turned to 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman.

The Seattle-based Huffman had consistently turned out the best info on what was a pretty buttoned-up recruiting process for the highly coveted five-star defensive end. He discussed how commitments from Gee Scott Jr. and Emeka Egbuka helped make OSU a “Holy Grail” school for Pacific Northwest prospects.

Tuimoloau now is the one holding the grail, as OSU awaits his decision on whether to enter the 2024 NFL Draft or return to Ohio State. Friday morning, Huffman posted an update on a 247Sports message board:

“From what I’m hearing out this way, hearing JTT is coming back for the 2024 season,” Huffman wrote. “My sources on hum through his recruitment have been golf so I’m trusting them on this one.”

Additionally, OSU assistant defensive line coach LaAllan Clark made a simple post on X (formerly Twitter) Friday afternoon. It included a Buckeye emoji and the phrase “#ReloadTheClip.” That’s the slogan other defensive starters have used when announcing they are coming back for another season.

If there is fire beneath this smoke, Tuimoloau would complete a movement that saw nearly every draft-eligible defensive starter with remaining eligibility return for 2024. Mike Hall Jr. opted to enter the NFL Draft. Defensive end Jack Sawyer, tackles Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, cornerback Denzel Burke and safeties Lathan Ransom and Jordan Hancock have all announced they will return.

Various mock drafts keep mentioning Tuimoloau as a borderline first-round prospect. His athleticism very likely would show up in impressive ways at the NFL Scouting Combine and other pre-draft workouts.

However, the chance to return and contribute to another stellar defense would be enticing as well. Tuimoloau collected five sacks, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. He continued to show up in some of the biggest moments of the season, most notably the critical fourth quarter of the win at Notre Dame.

As Tuimoloau and his family showed in that summer of 2021, they will take a deliberate approach to these decisions. If Huffman’s sources are again correct, a truly special OSU defense this fall becomes even more possible.