NFL Draft: WSU WR and an Eastside Catholic alum taken on Day 2

The first day of the NFL Draft came with two local players selected, and the second day was the same.

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In the second round of the draft on Friday, edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau was selected 45th overall by the Indianapolis Colts. And in the third round, wide receiver Kyle Williams went 69th overall to the New England Patriots.

Tuimoloa, who won the national championship with Ohio State, is a native of Edgewood, Wash, who was a standout at Eastside Catholic in Sammamish. And Williams, who grew up in California, starred for the WSU Cougars the last two seasons.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Tuimoloau was a three-time All-Big-Ten selection for Ohio State. He helped the Buckeyes win the national title as a senior by making 61 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He ranks in the top 10 in Ohio State history with 39.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks in his four-year career.

On the Colts roster, Tuimoloau joins another Puget Sound native: Kirkland’s Salvon Ahmed, a running back who starred at Juanita High School and for the UW Huskies.

Williams, who checks in at 5-11 and 190 pounds, averaged 17.1 yards per catch and ranked eighth in FBS with 1,198 receiving yards in 2024. He made 70 receptions, including 14 touchdowns.

Despite playing just two seasons with the Cougs, Williams is tied for sixth in WSU history with 20 career touchdown receptions, and tied for 10th with seven 100-yard games.

10:11 of every single 𝐊𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐓𝐃 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐠.

you're welcome🙏 pic.twitter.com/H2790vXzyO

— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) April 18, 2025

This is the second year in a row that the Patriots have looked to a school from Washington for a receiver in the second round. In 2024, they took UW Huskies wideout Ja’Lynn Polk with the 37th overall pick. Now the two former Apple Cup rivals find themselves in the same New England WR room.

In the first round Thursday, Ohio State wide receiver and Steilacoom product Emeka Egbuka was selected by 19th overall by Tampa Bay, and Oregon offensive lineman and Rainier Beach High School alum Josh Conerly Jr. was picked at No. 29 by the Washington Commanders. Additionally, the No. 1 overall pick was former WSU quarterback Cam Ward, though he finished his three-stop college career at Miami in 2024.

More on the NFL Draft

• Seahawks Draft Reaction: Nick Emmanwori is ‘Swiss Army knife’ safety
• Seahawks draft Miami TE Elijah Arroyo at No. 50
• Raiders’ first NFL Draft pick under coach Pete Carroll: a running back
• Five additional things to know about Seahawks’ top pick Grey Zabel
• Stacy Rost: What does top draft pick Grey Zabel bring to Seahawks?

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