COLUMBUS — Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg has announced his return to the Buckeyes for a fifth-and-final season, putting the NFL on hold for one more year.
Eichenberg was an All-Big Ten selection and a Second-Team All-American this season. He had 15 more solo tackles (77) than anybody else in the Big Ten and finished fifth nationally in that category.
Eichenberg led the Buckeyes with 120 tackles, which was second-most in the Big Ten. It was the most for an Ohio State defender since Joshua Perry’s 124 in 2014. Eichenberg’s 9.2 tackles per game were the most since Ryan Shazier’s 10.3 in 2013.
Eichenberg also led the Buckeyes with 12.0 tackles for loss and added 2.5 sacks. Four times this season Eichenberg posted double-digit tackles.
The return of Eichenberg is huge for a Buckeye defense that will now return both of its starting linebackers from last season. Steele Chambers has previously stated his intention to return for the 2023 season. Together, they could both be even better in year two of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ system. It will also be the third year that Eichenberg and Chambers will be side to side in the starting lineup.
Eichenberg will now be a favorite to become the first First-Team All-American linebacker at Ohio State since Shazier in 2013.
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