Continuing on our 2021 NFL draft breakdown series of Ohio State football players, defensive tackle Tommy Togiai is next on the list. Togiai projects as a 1-technique defensive tackle at the next level and is not a 3-4 nose tackle right now. Togiai is climbing boards, and rightfully so.
His best fit will be a 4-3 defense where he can use his strengths to their fullest potential. Should he go to a 3-4 team he could move to a defensive end role. However, I believe his best fit to be in a 4-3 due to his length.
He is as strong as an ox and NFL executives and scouts that put game film on are going to marvel and his motor and energy. Many were surprised that he declared for the draft, but there’s definitely a market for him in today’s league.
Next…The pros of drafting Tommy Togiai
The positives to drafting Togiai…
Most QB pressures in Week 12
1. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State – 10
2. Zachary Carter, Florida – 8
3. Tyreke Smith, Ohio State – 7 pic.twitter.com/yMezkk3vmZ— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) November 24, 2020
Tommy Togiai is right away an early down run stuffer with some potential against the pass. His motor is constantly running and almost never gives up on a play. In tight spaces, he has surprising agility and movement which helps him get around blockers since he doesn’t have the length of other defensive tackles. He thrives in a single-gap defense where he can use this agility to penetrate up the middle. He can run twists and stunts well so matching him up with a quick, flexible, 3-technique would cause problems for offenses.
Togiai does well to locate the ball carrier quickly and wraps up well. He will shoot gaps to get penetration to either blow up a run or force the running back to change course. He gets sufficient pressure up the middle, but getting home has been a slight struggle at times. His leverage and hands matched with his lateral movement and agility is a huge strength.
NEXT…The cons to Tommy Togiai…
The cons to picking Tommy Togiai…
Tommy Togiai recorded three sacks in 33 appearances for Ohio State. All three sacks came in one game against Penn State.
— Lorenz (@ScoutingLenz) February 11, 2021
While Togiai gets pressure, he doesn’t really get sacks. His length is not ideal for a 1-technique and at times can get bullied by much bigger guards. Once in a while, Togiai will shoot a gap and overrun the play, but again some of that is because of his lack of length.
Should Togiai be pushed to an edge in a 3-4 he provides excellent edge setting, but might struggle against the bigger, faster tackles in the NFL trying to get to the quarterback. While he sheds blocks well there were times a lineman can get a punch in quickly with longer arms and it will hold Togiai up.
Togiai should go somewhere in the late second to early third round. He does have some ability to move up the boards a little more once teams see his lateral movement at the combine. He is an instant contributor either way, and should have a place in the NFL.
All Ohio State football players eligible for the 2021 NFL draft
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