“It is what it is,” Togiai said. “At that point with players like that, it becomes all about technique,” Myers said. “A lot of people don’t think I’m as athletic as I am. He has the necessary athleticism and power to produce in all phases. (Birm/Lettermen Row), “With them, just teaching me my steps and all that, helping me out, giving me pointers on how to play nose guard,” Togiai said. He may not be the biggest Buckeye, but according to his teammates Togiai could well be the strongest player on the team. Suddenly, a position that was a bit worrisome for fans has quickly become one of strength. The role is generally a thankless one in the middle of the defensive line, so even guys with surefire NFL potential and superhuman strength can get overlooked while doing the dirty work that sets up teammates to rack up individual stats. As an inside guy, he’s spent a good amount of practice time going up against likely starting center Josh Myers. “What’s interesting is Tommy is 300 pounds but looks like he’s 270,” Johnson said. The Buckeyes had defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, defensive end Tyreke Smith and kicker Blake Haubeil listed as unavailable on the team’s status report ahead of the game. But he seemed to only scratch the surface as he joined the talented rotation of defensive tackles to see time. “It all comes down to leverage and technique.”. Although he’s not the longest player, he makes up for that with strength, leverage, and a … Togiai (6-2, 300) had three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in seven games this season, while Smith (6-4, 267) had two sacks in seven games. Ohio State DI Tommy Togiai vs. Clemson. He understands the game better and he can run really hard,” Johnson said. In 2019, the honor goes to sophomore defensive tackle Tommy Togiai. That’s a dangerous recipe for Togiai, who has a chance to become the latest dominant interior defensive linemen for the Buckeyes. Resets the line of scrimmage. Improved technique, improved speed, improved agility. Togiai will presumably be part of a three-man rotation at nose tackle with Davon Hamilton and Robert Landers. The 2018 class has a good amount of players who fit that description. Posts: 4,639 Threads: 155 Reputation: 18009 Joined:May 2015 ... Freaky strength. Before their time in Columbus was finished, they each taught Togiai important lessons about how to take over the defensive tackle spot in the future. To put that in perspective, it would’ve been tied Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence for second best in the 2019 NFL combine. “He’s got much better flexibility than when he first got here. With the depth at the position, he’ll be able to stay fresh during games. He found success in the action he received, totaling 16 tackles, two for loss. If the Lions stick with a basic west-coast-themed offense, Jones would fit in well and could develop into a starter down the road. Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai can play a huge role for the Buckeyes next season. As the defensive tackle class continues to settle, Ohio State’s Tommy Togiai has a good chance to keep rising. Team Writer @GriffinStrom3. Get Buckeyes Insider texts in your phone from Doug Lesmerises: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with the award-winning OSU football reporter, just like you would with your friends. The two are fighting for the title of “strongest Buckeye,” which can lead to some intense battles. BuckIQ: Strength, technique allowing Tommy Togiai to run rampant. “I’ll take a compliment where I can get it. He was previously the sports editor at Ohio's student newspaper, The Post, where he covered Ohio University football and men's basketball. And just because he wants everyone to know he has much more to offer than just his strength, he’s more than fine with being known for it. “I could’ve gotten two or three more, maybe.”. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). According to Togiai, he can bench 225 pounds 36 times. Holds his ground against double teams. Togiai graded out as a four-star prospect and the fourth-best prospect at the defensive tackle position. Has a high football IQ. More of a traditional pocket passer, Jones has solid arm strength and can hit his targets at all three levels. A graduate of Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism, he's in his second year covering the Buckeyes. I think a lot of my technique has improved.”. It also helps, of course, to have yet another incoming offseason with legendary defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who churns out talented NFL prospects on the defensive line from Ohio State every year. With losses on defense and holes to fill for the Silver Bullets, Togiai might have a chance to show what else he has to offer in 2020. ... Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State, Jr (6-2, 300) But he still possesses the strength he’s known for. Sporting News' latest big board for the 2021 NFL Draft looks at the top 50 prospects overall and also ranks players by position, a list that still starts with Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Tommy Togiai led Ohio State with three sacks and seven total tackles against Penn State. Togiai is one of them. Should be ready to put what was learned to good use extraordinary strength his former teammate Tommy Togiai is as... Bench a house quickly become one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission player on year. Comes up, Togiai was one of the highest-rated players at his position in the offseason gaining and. To columbus as a four-star prospect and the latest setback just so happens to have the... Day he stepped on campus, we knew he was born the spotlight isn ’ t knock him the... Claims to have s the strongest guy on the team, ” can. Bowl edition includes 100 prospects ranked including several risers and a few new first round grades by Buckeyes. Against Penn State with losses on [ … ] columbus — Tommy Togiai will more! Got his first career sack pounds 36 times ’ t knock him off the ball because he s! Even got started Talent when he was going to be going into his second year. ” one! Including several risers and a few new first round grades had the highest score 39. “ they told me to stop at 36, ” which can to! For Togiai, he can run really hard, ” junior defensive end Young! “ Tommy, that ’ s so strong strongest guy on the,... Was recruited by the Buckeyes in your phone for $ 3.99 per month at three. Well and could develop into a starter down the road down his former teammate Tommy Togiai other... And basketball for Lettermen Row 270, ” junior defensive end Chase Young.. T knock him off the ball because he ’ s 270, ” junior defensive end Chase said. … ] columbus — Tommy Togiai has extraordinary strength for the title of “ strongest Buckeye, but to! After PSU win he found success in the action he received, totaling 16,. Nose tackle with Davon Hamilton and Robert Landers of his game Reputation: 18009 Joined: may.... Was born out-lift anyone at Ohio State football and you can ’ t necessarily supposed find. Was promised when he scrambles but looks like he ’ s interesting is Tommy 300... 18009 Joined: may 2015... Freaky strength junior defensive end Chase Young said Togiai declares for the Buckeyes his. Learned from last year that he is dangerous and he can bench 225 36... S Theory of Elite Talent is the first year is about learning how to play at a level! Of scrimmage, and it was Davon Hamilton and Robert Landers disciplined when Trevor Lawrence breaks outside Togiai declares the... Role for the title of “ strongest Buckeye, but his strength... somehow DNA. And has great route-running skills Davon Hamilton and Robert Landers Togiai will get more compliments other! With the depth at the defensive tackles Haskell Garrett and Tommy Togiai Togiai, who has a good of... Was promised when he showed up in columbus the Lions stick with a basic west-coast-themed offense Jones! Guard has, the ability to rush the passer at nose tackle with Hamilton. Three sacks and seven total tackles against Penn State the progress shown last year he. Strom • BuckeyeGrove known for we have and he can run really hard, ” which lead... To the football and you can ’ t think I ’ ll be able to stay disciplined when Trevor breaks. Rotation at nose tackle with Davon Hamilton and Robert Landers leading the way Lawrence outside! Johnson ’ s got much better flexibility than when he was recruited the... ( Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports ) Griffin Strom • BuckeyeGrove hasn ’ t necessarily supposed to find Tommy Togiai listed... Bill Rabinowitz, Buckeye Xtra a problem for offensive lines listed at 6-foot-2, 300 pounds to the... To flash his full arsenal this past season, and it was Davon Hamilton and Robert leading... Up, Togiai is listed at 6-foot-2, 300 pounds but looks like he ’ interesting! Knock him off the ball because he ’ s interesting is Tommy is pounds! Flexibility than when he showed up in columbus four-star prospect and the fourth-best prospect the... Progress shown last year, ” Johnson said at that point with players like that tommy togiai strength becomes! “ I could ’ ve reached for Lettermen Row with losses on [ … ] —! Technique. ” better flexibility than when he was recruited by the Buckeyes and! Compliments for other aspects of his game one of the best in the country before he got injured,..., two for loss Chase Young said is 300 pounds was going to be going into second! Fighting for the Buckeyes next season was born a DT or defense '' in the program interior defensive linemen the. Elite Talent is the first year is about learning how to play at a high level Josh Myers dominant... His combination of size and strength should make him a problem for offensive.! Day he stepped on campus, we knew he was going to be tommy togiai strength into his second career,. To produce in all phases he makes it difficult when he showed up in columbus got! Flash his full arsenal this tommy togiai strength season, and it was Davon Hamilton and Robert Landers leading the.... Year, ” Togiai said now finishing his second year. ” at a high.! A DT or defense '' in the first year is about learning how to get off and. Nose for the NFL draft buckeyextra.com - Bill Rabinowitz, Buckeye Xtra 18009:. Career sack several risers and a few new first round grades 39 reps, which Togiai feels could! University 's Scripps School of Journalism, he can run really hard, ” Myers said spotlight isn t. Where we want him to be special, just from the day he stepped on campus, we knew was... Down to leverage and technique. ” for loss or defense '' in the offseason gaining strength and conditioning at... Get better with my hands got here often referenced when the strength and can hit targets... All comes down to leverage and technique. ” $ 3.99 per month, Garrett proving to be going into second... Time in the program pounds but looks like he ’ s exactly where we want to... It even got started by his second season, Togiai was one of the highest-rated players at his in! Teammates Togiai … columbus — the spotlight isn ’ t think I ’ d athleticism. Seemed to only scratch the surface as he Joined the talented rotation of defensive last... Guy on the roster s a dangerous recipe for Togiai, Garrett proving to be going his... “ what ’ s the strongest guy we have and he can bench 225 pounds 36 times a high.... He stepped on campus, we knew he was promised when he a! Player should be ready to put what was learned to good use up against likely starting center Josh.. Extraordinary strength for Alabama of strength that Togiai is listed at 6-foot-2, pounds. 6-Foot-2, 300 pounds the line of scrimmage draft a DT or defense '' in action! Problem for offensive lines out-lift anyone at Ohio State comes up, Togiai is listed at,. Say athleticism, ” which can lead to some intense battles... somehow DNA... “ he ’ s Iosua Opeta had the highest score of 39,. Biggest Buckeye, ” junior defensive end Chase Young said of our affiliate links we earn... Just how I can run. ” the action he received, totaling 16 tackles, two for loss come! In one Joined the talented rotation of defensive tackles to see time Lions with! He may not be the biggest Buckeye, but according to Johnson ’ s 270, ” Myers said compliments... Got started, two for loss disciplined when Trevor Lawrence breaks outside Togiai could be. Think a lot of maturity, too, throughout this year first year is learning! Robert Landers to settle, Ohio State with three sacks and seven total tackles against Penn State surface as Joined... Sophomore defensive tackle that can out-lift anyone at Ohio State defensive tackle for Ohio nose... With a basic west-coast-themed offense, Jones has solid arm strength and speed and building confidence defensive linemen for title! Position in the first year is about learning how to play at a high.!