Colts finish draft signings

A top-four recruit in the nation from the Class of 2021, Tuimoloau was on the field early and often as a true freshman for the Buckeyes. Getting snaps behind Zach Harrison and Tyreke Smith, Tuimoloau logged only two starts in Year 1 in Columbus, but he still showed the disruption that was to come with 2.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a batted pass in 12 games.

He exploded in his sophomore year, starting 10 of 13 games as essentially a full-time starter. That year, he only added one sack to his prior year total, but he stuffed the stat sheet elsewhere, logging 10.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, six passes defensed, and two interceptions. He followed that up with a decent junior campaign, improving his sack total to five while still notching seven tackles for loss and two passes defensed.

But it wasn’t until his senior year, a championship season, that he finally lived up to his 5-star recruiting status. Starting all 16 games, Tuimoloau led Ohio State in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (21.5), dominating opponents’ backfields all season. He added two forced fumbles and three passes defensed for good measure as he recorded a career-high 61 total tackles.

Indianapolis tied for 25th in the NFL last year with only 36 team sacks. 2021 first-round pick Kwity Paye continued to look decent with a team-leading eight sacks. The team was likely hoping for him to take the next step after he recorded 4.0, 6.0, and 8.5 in his first three seasons, but eight is still plenty serviceable. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was second on the team with 6.5 sacks, his lowest total since arriving in Indy five years ago. Last year’s first-round pick (and the first defensive player off the board in 2024) Laiatu Latu was third on the team, only logging four sacks while coming off the bench behind Dayo Odeyingbo.

So, once again, the Colts turned to the draft this year, hoping to improve their pass rush. With Paye in a contract year, Latu now in the starting lineup, and Tuimoloau chipping in, Indianapolis will hope that its trio of highly drafted pass rushers improves its standing in the sack race in 2025.

With Tuimoloau being the final Colts rookie to sign, here’s a look at the full 2025 draft class in Indianapolis:

• Round 1, No. 14: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 45: JT Tuimoloau (DE, Ohio State) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 80: Justin Walley (CB, Minnesota) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 127 (from Rams): Jalen Travis (T, Iowa State) (signed)
• Round 5, No. 151: DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 189: Riley Leonard (QB, Notre Dame) (signed)
• Round 6, No. 190 (from Falcons through Rams): Tim Smith (DT, Alabama) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 232: Hunter Wohler (S, Wisconsin) (signed)