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Ohio State Football: Preseason Predictions for Buckeye Players

By Frank Teriaca

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 20: Kyle McCord #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 20: Kyle McCord #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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How the Ohio State football team uses Jack Sawyer against Notre Dame will be very interesting to see.Cfb Maryland Terrapins At Ohio State Buckeyes
How the Ohio State football team uses Jack Sawyer against Notre Dame will be very interesting to see.Cfb Maryland Terrapins At Ohio State Buckeyes /

Who will lead the Ohio State football team in sacks?

Let’s face reality. Ever since Chase Young became the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Ohio State has not had a great pass rusher. That needs to change in 2023 and defensive line coach Larry Johnson has three great options returning.

Mike Hall has a real chance to lead this team in sacks in 2023. The third-year Buckeye defensive tackle had a breakout season last year before nagging injuries got in the way. J.T. Tuimoloau had possibly the most disruptive game I’ve ever seen wearing a Buckeye uniform against Penn State last year where he had two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a touchdown. But can he consistently show up every game?

I believe Jack Sawyer will get 10 sacks to lead the Buckeyes in 2023.

Moving back to his natural position at defensive end, Jack Sawyer is ready for a breakout-type season in 2023. All the preseason hype will be on Tuimoloau and rightfully so. And as he gets double-teamed early in the season, Sawyer will have a chance to make his mark on this defense in the early portion of the schedule. Sawyer and Tuimoloau will feed off each other as both will be very disruptive in 2023.

Can Tommy Eichenberg lead the Big Ten in tackles?

I think it goes without saying that barring injury, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg will lead Ohio State in tackles in 2023. With 120 last season, he finished second to Iowa’s Jack Campbell. With Campbell now in the NFL, Eichenberg should be seen as the favorite to lead the conference in tackles in 2023.

But two things may play against him. The first is that Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles came out this Spring and said he wants to rotate more on defense and specifically mentioned linebacker Cody Simon by name as someone he wants on the field.

Second, Michigan’s Junior Colson will have a say in this conversation. The Michigan linebacker had 101 tackles of his own last year, and he will be looked upon as the heart and soul of that Wolverine defense in 2023.

I do believe however that Eichenberg can reach 125 tackles, which should be enough to lead the Big Ten conference.

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Even will a little bit of reduced playing time, Eichenberg as a third-year starter for this Ohio State football defense should at least get back to his 120-tackle number based on his instincts alone. And with two healed thumbs for 2023, Eichenberg should be able to see a little increase in performance.

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