We don’t often hear too much when it comes to the recruitment of the class of 2022’s top player according to 247Sports, so when news hits, it’s an important development with J.T. Tuimoloau. We have such an instance, and it comes from 247Sports Brandon Huffman who talked to Tuimoloau’s father this past week to get an update on his decison-making process.
If you’ll recall, the highly touted defensive end did not sign during the traditional signing windows and has decided to wait things out until he can wrap up some visits to schools he’s still interested in. With news of the recruiting dead period being extended, the recruiting types wondered if that would throw a wrench in those plans and almost force Tuimoloau to make a choice before he could make it to Ohio State, the presumed leader for his services.
Well, think again.
“As we’ve said all along, there is no decision coming until we’ve had a chance to see the schools we need to see,” Tuimoloau’s after, Ponce Faletoi told 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman… “We never had any plans to commit this week or next week or the week after. We’re in this for the long haul and each school is cool with that and understands that.”
Tuimoloau has a final five schools of Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, USC, and Washington. So far, he’s been able to make it to campuses in Tuscaloosa, Eugene, L.A., and Seattle, but Columbus has been elusive because of COVID-19.
With the recruiting dead period extended to May 31, one has to believe that Tuimoloau and his family may be trying to find a way to get to Ohio State on a self-guided tour. For now, though, it appears as though no decision is going to be made until sometime in May at the earliest.
When that happens (not if), we’ll have some feedback as it’s made available.