Tommy Eichenberg is a Butkus Award semifinalist for the second consecutive season.
On Monday, the Butkus Foundation announced Eichenberg as one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, an honor presented to the best linebacker in college football. He is the lone repeat nominee from last season.
Our Leader, Butkus Award Semifinalist
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 6, 2023
@tommyike41 pic.twitter.com/pcet1oQfg4
Eichenberg has been one of the leaders of the Buckeyes' defense this fall. Across nine appearances in 2023, the Cleveland native has recorded a team-best 75 tackles, with the next-closest player, fellow linebacker Steele Chambers, at 54 tackles in the same number of games. Eichenberg has also collected 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four quarterback hits and one forced fumble for the Buckeyes.
In 2022, Eichenberg was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award but did not become a finalist, as the Butkus Foundation selected Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Georgia), Daiyan Henley (Washington State), Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati), Drew Sanders (Arkansas) and the award's winner, Jack Campbell (Iowa), over him. Eichenberg finished the season with 120 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, one touchdown and three pass breakups. He received an All-Big Ten and All-American honors for his efforts.
This year, Eichenberg is one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award along with Jaylan Ford (Texas), Cedric Gray (North Carolina), Jay Higgins (Iowa), Ty'Ron Hopper (Missouri), Curtis Jacobs (Penn State), Deontae Lawson (Alabama), Marist Liufau (Notre Dame), Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson), Edefuan Ulofoshio (Washington), Nathaniel Watson (Mississippi State) and Payton Wilson (NC State),
Finalists for the 2023 Butkus Award will be announced later in November. The winner will be selected and announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards in December.
