Report: Colts agree to rookie contract with 2nd round DE J.T. Tuimoloau

Report: Colts agree to rookie contract with 2nd round DE J.T. Tuimoloau
Stampede Blue Stampede Blue

All eight players of the Colts’ 2025 NFL Draft class have inked their rookie deals ahead of training camp kicking off next week.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a rookie contract with recent 2nd round pick J.T. Tuimoloau, meaning that all members of their 2025 draft class are now safely signed ahead of team training camp:

The Colts drafted Tuimoloau with the 45th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

There’s been a slew of 2nd round picks that have been signed in recent days, as NFL teams gear up next week for the official kickoff of their training camps.

The Colts’ camp report date for rookies is July 21st, with veterans reporting a day later.

For the 2024 CFP National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, the senior defensive lineman, Tuimoloau, recorded 61 tackles (35 solo), 22 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed, and 2 forced fumbles during 16 starts this past season.

He earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors for the third straight season.

With the departure of free agent defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo to the Chicago Bears in free agency, Tuimoloau projects to play a big role in helping to replace a lot of that lost versatility—particularly with his ability to pass rush both inside and out.

Bigger picture, Colts veteran defensive end Samson Ebukam (30) is coming off a season-ending torn Achilles, and both he and fellow projected starter Kwity Paye (26), a former 2021 first round pick of Indianapolis, are entering a contract year in 2025 respectively.

This means that Tuimoloau could not only play a key rotational role now—as impact depth, but potentially become a long-term starter fairly soon.