Tommy Togiai 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 300 pounds
Arms: 31 ¾’’
Hand: 8 ⅞”
School: Ohio State
Pro Day Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.97
Vertical: 32”
Broad: 105”
Three-cone: 7.20
Bench press: 40 reps
Tommy Togiai Draft Profile
Overview
Tommy Togiai played his high school football at Highland Highschool in the state of Idaho where he amassed an impressive career. Togiai was a three-time first-team all-state selection and was named the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year after a senior campaign which concluded with Togiai racking up 93 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Togiai earned himself a four-star prospect ranking and was the number three ranked defensive tackle in his recruiting class. As a true freshman in 2018, Togiai appeared in 12 games and accounted for ten total tackles as well as two tackles for a loss. As a 2019 sophomore, Togiai appeared in 14 games for the Buckeyes in which he tallied 16 total tackles, two tackles for a loss, and one pass deflection. Last season, as a junior, Togiai played in all seven games and racked up an impressive 23 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and two pass deflections.
Strengths
- Elite run stuffer on early down defensive snaps
- Has elite strength combined with eye popping agility
- Togiai’s weight and relatively short frame allows him to gain consistent leverage beneath a blocker’s pads and jack them backwards
- His quick hands and short area quickness will make him a force at the next level within a single-gap defensive front
- Togiai’s natural block shedding is his best attribute and while he should dominate single-gapping, he could easily develop further into an elite two-gap defensive lineman
Weaknesses
- Just an average pass rusher without a ton of pass rush moves in his toolbox
- Given his size, he may struggle against outside runs while his play recognition continues to develop
- Despite his strength, he does not have elite mass and may struggle against double teams at the next level
- Short arms which could impact his ability to shed blockers in the NFL
NFL Comparison: A lighter Danny Shelton
Teams With Need at Position: Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans
Projection: Second round
[pickup_prop id=”4990″]
The Bottom Line
Despite being undersized for the position, Togiai has elite strength as well as short area quickness, a skillset which NFL defensive coordinators will be very intrigued by. Moreover, Togiai’s strength and quickness is so impressive that he should be a day one starter within single-gap defensive schemes and could even end up drawing double teams from opponent’s offensive lines as the season goes on. Togiai projects to be an elite run stuffer on early downs at the next level, but his pass rushing game is limited at best. Moreover, Togiai’s pass rushing ceiling is certainly not considered to be very high and while he offers enough to be a three down defensive tackle, he may need to be taken off the field on obvious passing downs. Given Togiai’s scheme specific strengths, teams will likely have him ranked differently based upon what skill sets they place more value on at his position. However, teams whose schemes fit Togiai’s skill set will fall in love with him.
Main Photo
