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After committing to the Buckeyes somewhat out of nowhere on December 12, the Idaho native Tommy Togiai is now officially an Ohio State Buckeye.
ID➡️OH
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 20, 2017
O lines everywhere, watch out… The Rushmen got a lot bigger & better today! Welcome to the Buckeye family, @Big_Tom71!#GoBucks #Supreme18 #NSD18 pic.twitter.com/W01BbY4QCD
The country’s ninth best defensive tackle according to 247Sports brings incredible depth to the defensive line haul for the Buckeyes in 2018. As one of the three elite defensive tackles to become Buckeyes, Tommy gives Ohio State their first Idaho pledge and a serious pat on the back for going into enemy territory and holding off schools such as USC, Washington, and Utah who were all serious threats to land the four-star.
At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, Togiai brings a veteran-style body that will only continue to improve once he gets to Columbus under the tutelage of Micky Marotti and the rest of the strength and conditioning staff. With his incredible abilities, Larry Johnson has to be excited about what is heading to campus with the rest of the 2018 haul. Having put in serious work to land Togiai, the signature itself makes all of the hours more than worth it.
A 2018 U.S. Army All-American, Tommy will be able to showcase why he is a top 130 player in the country and just how fortunate the Buckeyes are for signing this elite prospect to help bolster the defensive line and continue the trend of unstoppable rush-men. The thought that Ohio State couldn’t land the elite defensive tackle prospect has officially come to an end and Togiai is a major reason why.
Scouting Report
Togiai didn’t face the country’s best competition at Highland high school in Pocatello, Idaho, but the 6’3” 290-pound tackle shouldn’t be discredited for routinely being a man among boys on the field. His first step and ability to gain leverage is apparent, and Togiai fits the mold of an elite run stuffer thanks to his ability to control and shed blocks at the line of scrimmage.
He demonstrated excellent awareness in reading screens and trap blocks, but could struggle to find the field as a three-down linemen until he develops some consistent pass-rush moves. Given the Buckeyes’ perennially loaded front, don’t be surprised if Togiai works his way into the lineup after a redshirt year as an early-down defensive tackle.