Many were a bit surprised when [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] linebacker [autotag]Tommy Eichenberg[/autotag] opted to return to Columbus for another season with the Buckeyes. It was a good surprise, as the returning Buckeye leader in tackles, with 120, should be in line for plenty of national recognition as he enters his final season.
That recognition has actually already started, as today [autotag]Pro Football Focus[/autotag] named Eichenberg as one of their top 10 returning linebackers. He was third on their list, with just Clemson’s [autotag]Jeremiah Trotter Jr.[/autotag] and LSU’s [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] ahead of him. There were also two other Big Ten players inside the top 10, Penn State’s [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] and Wisconsin’s [autotag]Maema Njongmeta[/autotag].
Top 10 returning Linebackers for the 2023 season, via @Chad_Maxwick pic.twitter.com/cT90ED0xiU
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 15, 2023
Max Chadwick, who broke down the list for PFF, notes that Eichenberg is the “most valuable returning linebacker” according to their wins above average metric. He was also named a PFF All-American this past season.
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