In terms of birthdays, J.T. Tuimoloau's 22nd birthday just might go down as one of the best he'll ever have.
He's a second-round draft pick, the sun is shining and he's getting ready to go play football on the second day of practice of the Colts' 2025 rookie minicamp.
"You go from the draft, to graduating, to wearing a Colts jersey, how much better can it get?" the defensive end said on Saturday. "It's a very blessed time to be here."
With the whirlwind of the last few weeks, from getting the phone call on draft night to traveling to Indianapolis and meeting his new coaches and teammates, Tuimoloau almost forgot Saturday was his birthday until he started getting texts from his loved ones. No one could blame him, though, since he's just been trying to process the fact that he's accomplished one of his greatest goals.
Tuimoloau is also one to just get right down to it – as soon as he arrived at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, it was time to work.
"Once I got here, or right after (draft) day, I was like 'Alright, this is business,'" Tuimoloau said. "And the moment didn't really hit to where I was like 'Man, I'm really in the league' until I put my jersey on and got out there for the first practice. Right then and there, I was like, 'Alright, it's time. Whatever you dreamed about, talked to yourself (about), all the sacrifices you've made for this time now, you can't just stop. It's time to kick it up another notch.'"
After spending four years at Ohio State and helping to lead the Buckeyes to a national championship victory in 2024, Tuimoloau is used to putting in the work every day to improve. He had to learn who he was as a player and a person while at Ohio State, a program full of high expectations and exceptional talent. Now, he joins the Colts with a firm idea of who he is – and who he wants to be – on and off the field.
"I'm an all-around player," he said. "I felt like there was nothing I was limited to doing…and on my side, I made sure I was focused. Meeting with the coaches, watching film with the whole staff, just understanding that if they want me to do this, I want to be the best at my job. And you know, with that, I know the production doesn't show but I think the playoffs was just a little glimpse of who I am as a person. Just whatever the team needs me to do, I'll do it. I'll sacrifice my own to make sure we get a win."
In the Buckeyes' four College Football Playoff games in 2024, Tuimoloau recorded 19 total pressures, 6.5 sacks and 23 tackles. On the season, he set career highs in tackles (61), tackles for a loss (21.5), sacks (12.5) and forced fumbles (two), earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for the third year in a row.
With his wealth of experience in college, the transition to the NFL also holds some familiarity for Tuimoloau.
"Everything's different, but there's still some things that are the same," he said. "I love the culture here, head coach. Everybody's just really on you, making sure you're coached right. And the bond that everybody has here, I feel that. That's what I felt at Ohio State as well. Only difference is, you go from wearing red to blue."
Good thing the Colts' shade of blue is different from that school up north – consider that one of Tuimoloau's birthday presents. The other one? Getting to break down the huddle at the end of practice.
