Tommy

Eichenberg

Wilson is not yet a high-impact rotational player and losing valuable in-game repetitions will not help his development. Hopefully, he can return soon. Backup rookie G Jackson Powers-Johnson (illness) will be a game-time decision but fellow rookie LB Tommy Eichenberg (knee) will make his NFL debut.

The brother of Miami Dolphins OT Liam Eichenberg, and Ohio State HC Ryan Day’s first official commit as the Buckeyes’ head coach, Eichenberg (6’2/233) grew up in the Cleveland area and got to realize a childhood dream by playing for his home state team. The four-star recruit barely sent a ripple through the defensive depth chart during his first two years on campus, charting just two tackles in that span. He started the first three games but was relegated to rotational work after charting a ghastly 29.7 game grade against Oregon. Eichenberg still managed to log 431 snaps and finished strong by making 17 tackles in their bowl game against Utah. In 2022 new Ohio State DC Jim Knowles took over the defense and in turn, Eichenberg led the team with 120 tackles and 12.0 TFL while being named First Team All-Big Ten. The two-time team captain recorded a 91st percentile PFF run grade (5th in FBS) and an 86th% overall grade that ranked 8th in the Power Five. He somehow eclipsed that by earning Second-Team All-America accolades while recording 31 stops and 82 tackles before dislocating his elbow late in the season. He somehow returned after missing three contests to play the final game of his career against Michigan. A true linebacker mentality that would make Jack Lambert proud. A hamstring injury caused him to opt out of the 40-yard dash, but between his pro day and Combine, Eichenberg ran a 4.24s shuttle (85th%) and 7.02 3-Cone (83rd%) that checked the athleticism boxes, while his 20 bench reps were tied for second-most from the 2024 linebacker group. A downhill enforcer who has pop in his hands and a laser-guided radar when locking onto his ball carrier target. His coverage ability projects as average, as he doesn’t have the same intrinsic feel for that passing game as he does around the line of scrimmage. A no-nonsense defensive leader and captain, Eichenberg lives the football life on and off the field and is considered a known commodity in terms of his ability to assimilate into an NFL lineup.

Eichenberg opened up his recruitment near the end of November after he had previously been committed to Boston College since June. He also had offers from schools like Michigan and Iowa, but the Cleveland native was considered a strong lean towards Ohio State the moment he opened things back up. He ranks as the 19th best inside linebacker on 247 Sports composite rankings, and the eighth best player in the state of Ohio.

Eichenberg (6'3/225) had been in the fold with Boston College since June. He will be reevaluating, now, as several notable offers received this fall -- including ones from Ohio State and Michigan -- appear to have complicated matters. The linebacker has plans to be in Columbus for this weekend’s incarnation of The Game and has already visited UM in unofficial capacity. Both the Buckeyes and Wolverines are expected to receive official visits before Eichenberg puts pen to paper on National Signing Day in early February. On the 247Sports composite board, he ranks as the No. 358 overall prospect in the 2019 class.