Penn State Was Once Dismantled by Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau. What’s the Plan to Stop Him?

In 2022, Drew Shelton watched from the sidelines as Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau produced one of the greatest single-game defensive performances in the history of college football: two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown. Shelton is now Penn State’s starting left tackle and Tuimoloau is, somehow, still with the Buckeyes.

The Nittany Lions’ clash with No. 4 Ohio State will take the most from every player involved. But for Shelton, specifically, this game is likely to present the most difficult task of his football career — guarding Tuimoloau, who single-handedly dismantled James Franklin’s offense the last time he played in Beaver Stadium.

“He’s a good football player. He’s quick, he’s twitchy, does a lot of things. He’s good with his hands, a great pass rusher,” Shelton said. “Obviously, it’s gonna be a challenge for the tackles. We’re gonna get challenged this week, and that’s just what it is. Just stepping up to the plate and being ready when our number’s called.”

Shelton understands the challenge at hand, but appears humble and subtly confident that he can get the job done against the Buckeyes’ star defensive end. Franklin is seemingly still shaken from his remarkable performance two seasons prior, in a game that was once in reach before it was literally stolen by Tuimoloau on two interceptions, one being a pick-six.

“Obviously, his stat sheet against us from two years ago was as good of a performance as you could have,” Franklin said after practice on Wednesday. “So a ton of respect for him. Obviously, he has our attention, and obviously we’ve been spending a ton of time having a plan of how we’re going to try to limit his impact in the game.”

Franklin and defensive coordinator Tom Allen may have to get creative. It’s not just Tuimoloau they have to worry about, but Jack Sawyer, as well. And it won’t make matters easier if starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh, who sustained an injury at Wisconsin this past weekend, isn’t 100% by Saturday.

Donkoh was present for Penn State’s practice viewing session on Wednesday, but his reps were limited as he moved with an apparent limp. If Donkoh isn’t able to play or his snap count is cut short, Nolan Rucci would be his replacement in a high-pressure situation against two of the Big Ten’s best pass rushers.

“We’ve already been playing Rucci a bunch anyway, but we’re going to need both of those guys,” Franklin said.

It should help Shelton, Donkoh and Rucci that they’ve already matched up some comparably gifted edge rushers in their own facilities. Abdul Carter is arguably the top-rated defensive end in the upcoming NFL Draft and Dani Dennis-Sutton has also shown flashes over his first year as a starter with the Nittany Lions.

Still, games are different than practices, and Shelton will almost certainly have his hands full attempting to slow down Tuimoloau.

“We see a lot of D-ends that are really good, whether that be in practice or throughout the season so far,” Shelton said. “It’s just like every week we gotta go 1-0 each rep, each quarter, each series, and obviously in the game.”