Selected by the Colts in the second round (45th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE:
JT was a leader on Ohio State's defense for his entire career, playing in all 55 games from 2021-24 and starting 42 consecutive games
He was a three-time all-Big Ten Conference first-team performer (2022-23-24) who amassed 144 career tackles, 16 quarterback hurries and 10 pass break-ups as a defensive end
Finished his Ohio State career with Top 10 school totals in tackles-for-loss and quarterback sacks
His career totals of 43.5 TFLs and 220 yards lost rank eighth and sixth at Ohio State, respectively, while his 2024 season totals of 21.5 TFLs and 105 yards lost rank fourth and sixth
In terms of quarterback sacks, JT's totals of 23.5 career sacks and 169 lost yards rank sixth and eighth, respectively, and his 2024 season totals of 12.5 sacks and 80 yards lost rank fi fth and sixth
Part of an Ohio State defense that ranked in the top 5 nationally in at least eight major statistical categories, including ranking No. 1 in both total defense and scoring defense and No. 3 in rushing and passing defense
Was outstanding throughout the four-game run that culminated with Ohio State winning the College Football Playoff s national championship, ranking third on the team in tackles with 23 while leading the way with 10 TFLs including 6.5 QB sacks
Compiled 61 total tackles in 2024
Had a second-team All-America season in 2023 when he totaled 38 tackles and 7.0 tackles-for-loss, including 5.0 quarterback sacks
Initially set his career-high with six tackles at Notre Dame
As a sophomore in 2022, he was named fi rst-team all-Big Ten Conference after a 28-tackle season that included 10.5 TFLs totalling 39 yards and 3.5 sacks
2022 stats also included two interceptions, including a pick-6, four PBUs, four QB hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery
PERSONAL:
Was a four-year letterwinner at defensive end and tight end at Eastside Catholic High School.
Was the highest-rated defensive prospect to sign with Ohio State in the modern recruiting era (2000-present).
Considered the nation's No. 1-rated overall prospect according to 247Sports.
Named the 2021 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year.
Led Eastside Catholic to a pair of 3A state titles in his career (2018 and 2019).
Named the SBLive Washington Player of the Year despite a shortened high school season that occurred in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a junior in 2019, he led Eastside Catholic in tackles (64) and sacks (11.0).
Was a 2020 All-American Bowl selection.
Selected as SBLive's 3A Senior Athlete of the Year.
Four-year member of the Eastside Catholic basketball team with a career scoring average of 11.1 points per game.
In a pandemic-shortened senior season, he averaged 18.0 points per game and eight rebounds while playing guard, forward and center.
Is the son of Ponce de Leon Faletoi and Alofa Tuimoloau.
His aunt (Chenne) and mom played basketball at Moorpark (Calif.) Community College. His younger sister (Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso) just completed her sophomore season playing college basketball at St. Mary's.
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