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Ohio State Football: Two Bucks find their names on the Lott IMPACT watch list

By Eric Boggs

Oct 29, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) celebrates a tackle with defensive tackle Taron Vincent (6) during the first half of the NCAA Division I football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Penn State Nittany Lions
Oct 29, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) celebrates a tackle with defensive tackle Taron Vincent (6) during the first half of the NCAA Division I football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Penn State Nittany Lions /
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Two current Ohio State football players have been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy candidate list for 2023. Both Tommy Eichenberg and J.T. Tuimoloau were named along with 40 other eligible candidates for the season.

The 42-man list is comprised of 16 linebackers, 13 defensive backs, and 13 defensive linemen. The SEC leads the way among conferences with nine total candidates, followed by the Big Ten and Pac-12 who have eight candidates each while the Big 12 and ACC are sporting six. There are also an additional five candidates from non-Power 5 conference schools.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy is given out each year by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation to college football’s best defensive player who exemplifies the best character and performance in honor of Ronnie Lott. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.

Ohio State has only had only one Lott IMPACT Award winner. Current Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis won the award back in 2008. Laurinaitis finished his senior season with 130 tackles, 4 sacks, and a pair of interceptions. The Little Animal was then drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, pick number 35 overall, by the St. Louis Rams.

This obviously will not be the only pre-season watch list for both Eichenberg and Tuimoloau as both defenders will undoubtedly be seen on many lists to come. Eichenberg finished the 2022 season with 122 tackles, 77 of which were solo, to go along with 2.5 sacks and 1 interception.

Eichenberg could have declared for the 2023 NFL Draft following the loss to Georgia but decided to return to Ohio State for a final season. Many experts are predicting Eichenberg to be named a Pre-Season All-American. If he can repeat his 2022 performance, a Buckeye tree in Buckeye Grove awaits the linebacker from Cleveland, Ohio.

Tuimoloau’s path seems a little bumpier to the red carpet award gathering. The defensive end from Edgewood, Washington had the game of a lifetime against Penn State last season. His total numbers throughout the year however were not quite as impressive.

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He finished with 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pair of interceptions, and one touchdown. A lot of those numbers came against the Nittany Lions. Hopefully, the emergence of fellow junior Jack Sawyer at the other end position will give Tuimoloau a cleaner path to the quarterback and an increased sack total in 2023.

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