Ohio State football: Will the real Tommy Eichenberg please stand up?

Just who is Tommy Eichenberg? Is he the linebacker who lost his starting job with the Ohio State football team early last season? Is he the linebacker who was the Rose Bowl’s defensive MVP? Will the real Tommy Eichenberg please stand up?

He began 2021 as the Buckeyes’ starter at Mike (middle) linebacker, but that didn’t last long. Eichenberg was replaced by Cody Simon after making just nine tackles in three games, including a zero-tackle performance against Tulsa. What makes that no-tackle game worse is he was on the field for 53 plays (according to Eleven Warriors).

The majority of teams treat the first part of their bowl preparation like spring practice. The emphasis is on working with younger players to improve fundamentals and such. Those practices must have been of great benefit to the junior from Cleveland because Eichenberg looked like a different player against Utah on New Year’s Day. He seemed to be everywhere as he made seventeen tackles (watch his Rose Bowl performance here).

Did the light bulb go on for Eichenberg during bowl practice? Did everything finally click for him? I’m not quite ready to say it definitely has, but he had a very good spring and seems to have cemented himself as the clear choice to start the season at the Mike position.

Another good indicator that Eichenberg has definitely become a different player from early last season is Ryan Day saying he looked decisive during the spring. That’s exactly what you want to hear. Because of the type of speed you see at the Power 5 level, there is no room for hesitation or indecision.

Day’s comment, along with reports of Eichenberg becoming a leader, tells me he is far more confident and sure of himself. This bodes well for a defense that wants its linebackers to be much more aggressive than last season.

Which Tommy Eichenberg stands up is going to help determine just how improved the Ohio State defense is in 2022. If the Buckeyes are going to be serious contenders for a national title, Rose Bowl Tommy Eichenberg needs to be the one to rise to his feet.