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Larry Johnson on Togiai: 'He can wreck the line of scrimmage'
ByDAVE BIDDLE 42 minutes ago
When asking Ohio State players and coaches to name a younger guy on the roster who is making waves during preseason camp thus far, one name seems to be popping up more than the rest: Tommy Togiai.
The sophomore defensive tackle will be part of a deep rotation for the Buckeyes up front in 2019 after getting his feet wet as a true freshman last season. The native of Idaho is also strongest player on the team, according to anyone you ask within the program.
As for what stands out the most about the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Togiai's game, Bucknuts asked defensive line coach Larry Johnson about that very topic following Thursday's practice.
"He's really got much better flexibility than when he first got here, and he understands the game better," Johnson said. "And he's playing really hard. He can run to the football, and you can't knock him off the football because he's so strong.
"Then he brings an element that not every nose guard has, and that is the ability to rush the passer. Tommy can rush the passer. I really think he's having a great camp, but from day one when he stepped on campus last year, we knew he would be special, it was just a matter of development. And now he's exactly where we want him to be going into his second year. So, I'm really excited about what he has a chance to do for us."
Johnson gave Togiai even higher praise than that at one point during the discussion.
"I think Tommy has had the best camp of any of our guys so far," Johnson said. "He's really doing well."
Johnson has coached a lot of great defensive tackles during his career. However, he had to pause when asked if he had coached a D-tackle as powerful as Togiai.
"There was one guy I coached (at Penn State) named Spice Adams, who ended up playing for the Chicago Bears, who was that kind of guy," Johnson said. "Barrel strong.
"What's interesting is Tommy is 300 pounds, but it looks like he's 270. He carries his weight very well. But his strength ... somehow the D.N.A. was there when he was born, because he's the strongest guy we have. And he can wreck the line of scrimmage. You can't move him."
Johnson elaborated on why Togiai is coming of age at this point his his career.
"I think when he got here, he was a little stiff as far as his flexibility," Johnson reiterated. "And I think with what Coach Mick (Mickey Marotti) has done and what we've done with bag drills and movement drills to get him ready, you see a change. He moves his hips really good. He's very explosive off the ball. I mean, he's doing this (moves hand in upward motion). He's really trending up right now in a sense of being an all-around football player."
https://247sports.com/college/ohio-...3YeD1pESuKpwV9mLL8jplFKPtlKg1jvwFT7VmKgFmAXBA
ByDAVE BIDDLE 42 minutes ago
When asking Ohio State players and coaches to name a younger guy on the roster who is making waves during preseason camp thus far, one name seems to be popping up more than the rest: Tommy Togiai.
The sophomore defensive tackle will be part of a deep rotation for the Buckeyes up front in 2019 after getting his feet wet as a true freshman last season. The native of Idaho is also strongest player on the team, according to anyone you ask within the program.
As for what stands out the most about the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Togiai's game, Bucknuts asked defensive line coach Larry Johnson about that very topic following Thursday's practice.
"He's really got much better flexibility than when he first got here, and he understands the game better," Johnson said. "And he's playing really hard. He can run to the football, and you can't knock him off the football because he's so strong.
"Then he brings an element that not every nose guard has, and that is the ability to rush the passer. Tommy can rush the passer. I really think he's having a great camp, but from day one when he stepped on campus last year, we knew he would be special, it was just a matter of development. And now he's exactly where we want him to be going into his second year. So, I'm really excited about what he has a chance to do for us."
Johnson gave Togiai even higher praise than that at one point during the discussion.
"I think Tommy has had the best camp of any of our guys so far," Johnson said. "He's really doing well."
Johnson has coached a lot of great defensive tackles during his career. However, he had to pause when asked if he had coached a D-tackle as powerful as Togiai.
"There was one guy I coached (at Penn State) named Spice Adams, who ended up playing for the Chicago Bears, who was that kind of guy," Johnson said. "Barrel strong.
"What's interesting is Tommy is 300 pounds, but it looks like he's 270. He carries his weight very well. But his strength ... somehow the D.N.A. was there when he was born, because he's the strongest guy we have. And he can wreck the line of scrimmage. You can't move him."
Johnson elaborated on why Togiai is coming of age at this point his his career.
"I think when he got here, he was a little stiff as far as his flexibility," Johnson reiterated. "And I think with what Coach Mick (Mickey Marotti) has done and what we've done with bag drills and movement drills to get him ready, you see a change. He moves his hips really good. He's very explosive off the ball. I mean, he's doing this (moves hand in upward motion). He's really trending up right now in a sense of being an all-around football player."
https://247sports.com/college/ohio-...3YeD1pESuKpwV9mLL8jplFKPtlKg1jvwFT7VmKgFmAXBA
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scarletngray
Gold Pants
Cornell, Hamilton, Vincent, Landers, Garrett and Togia are going to wear down the inside of the opposing OL by the time the 4th Quarter starts. No drop off with these six guys whose motors are always running. Exciting to see that Tommy has stood out in this group as one who has made the most progress.
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ShowMeBuck
You know what? Chicken butt.
“Best camp of any of our guys so far”
“He can wreck the line”
I really like the sound of this. A lot. And I’m not surprised.
If you have to plan for game changing guys like Chase and Tyreke on the edge and guys like Tommy in the middle at the same time? Good Lord.
“He can wreck the line”
I really like the sound of this. A lot. And I’m not surprised.
If you have to plan for game changing guys like Chase and Tyreke on the edge and guys like Tommy in the middle at the same time? Good Lord.
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Way to make Idaho proud Tommy! There are actually a ton of folks out here in Idaho rooting him on, he's a big deal in the state. Slowly seeing some Buckeye converts.
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