I was wrong.
I guess that’s as good a place to start as any.
A few months ago, I said Korey Foreman, not J.T. Tuimoloau, was the five-star defensive line recruit Oregon Ducks fans would be monitoring.
At the time, Foreman had Oregon among his top schools and Tuimoloau looked like an Ohio State lock.
But times have changed.
While Foreman is still a possibility, Tuimoloau’s relationship with the Ducks has grown…
I’m hearing Oregon has firmly entered the mix.
The 6-foot-5, 277-pound versatile defensive lineman, out of Eastside Catholic High School (Sammamish, Washington), is rated the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect and the Buckeyes are probably still the team to beat.
But the battle is far from over.
Tuimoloau, who has kept his recruitment close to the vest, is building strong relationships with the Oregon recruits and the coaching staff.
This article is not a “Tuimoloau to Oregon” prediction on my part, but I also think it would be foolish to count out Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff at this point.
The mutual interest is real.
Here’s what 247Sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman had to say about Tuimoloau as a prospect:
“Powerful, athletic and nimble, with room to still add significant weight at the next level. Has lined up on the edge, mixing with hand down while also standing up. Elite pass rusher, who can mix a variety of moves with pure strength to shed his blockers. Can drop into coverage against running backs, receivers and tight ends and has the athleticism and ball skills to be a force in coverage. Has even played safety. Could be a top tight end prospect if he focused on offense, with natural pass-catching skills, ability to track the ball and high point it and run after the catch. Also a high-major basketball player, averaging nearly a double-double in prep career. As he continues to add weight and strength, figures to be among the elite pass-rushers at the next level. Projects as an instant impact Power 5-starter and a Top Ten overall draft pick.”
In the 2020 recruiting cycle, I had a perfect record when predicting a prospect’s landing spot, but I’ve also got a responsibility to admit a misfire.
Tuimoloau is definitely a prospect Oregon fans should be keeping a close eye on going forward.
Recruiting links
– Jabril McNeill, nation’s No. 13 outside linebacker, commits to Oregon Ducks
– Class of 2022 4-star TE Andre Dollar choosing between Oregon, Nebraska on Tuesday morning
– Analysis: Will Oregon Ducks make another recruiting splash (or 2) soon?
-5-star basketball prospect Nathan Bittle to announce decision Tuesday; Oregon Ducks a serious contender
— Andrew Nemec | [email protected] | @AndrewNemec
