Ohio State Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg Returning For Fifth-Year Senior Season

The second-team All-American becomes the latest underclassmen to put off the NFL for another year.

Ohio State redshirt junior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg announced on Thursday afternoon he will return to Columbus for his fifth-year senior season rather than enter his name into the 2023 NFL Draft.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tommy Eichenberg (@tommyeichenberg)

“After a lot of consideration and thought, I’ve decided to return for a final season at Ohio State,” Eichenberg, a man of few words, said in a post on Instagram. “Back to work.”

A former four-star prospect from Cleveland St. Ignatius, Eichenberg was named a captain and then recorded a team-leading 120 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, three pass break ups, 2.5 sacks and one interception that he returned for a touchdown in 13 games for the Buckeyes this season.

Eichenberg earned second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection, finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus awards.

More News From Sports Illustrated: Georgia Redefines Dominance In College Football | TCU Keeps Perspective After Brutal Blowout | Florida State Adds Patrick Surtain As Secondary Coach | South Carolina's Rattler To Return For 2023 Season

The 6-foot-2 and 239-pound Eichenberg is now the fourth draft-eligible Buckeye to announce his return for next season, joining redshirt sophomore running back Miyan Williams, redshirt junior tight end Cade Stover and redshirt junior linebacker Steele Chambers.

Fifth-year senior wide receiver Xavier Johnson and fifth-year senior offensive guard Matthew Jones have also opted to return for their extra year of eligibility next season. Underclassmen have until Jan. 16 to declare for the draft, while those using their extra year have until Feb. 3.

 

-----

Get your Ohio State football and basketball tickets from SI Tickets. Also, be sure to check out our new message boards, Buckeye Forums. We'd love to have you part of the conversation during the season.

-----

You may also like:

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren Named Chicago Bears’ President And CEO

Ohio State's Matthew Jones Returning For Extra Season Of Eligibility

Ohio State C Luke Wypler Declares For 2023 NFL Draft

Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Declares For 2023 NFL Draft

Ohio State Finishes No. 4 In Final AP Top 25 Poll Of 2022 Season

Ohio State’s Xavier Johnson Returning For Extra Season Of Eligibility

-----

Be sure to stay locked into BuckeyesNow all the time!

Join the BuckeyesNow community!
Subscribe to the BuckeyesNow YouTube channel
Follow Andrew Lind on Twitter: @AndrewMLind
Follow BuckeyesNow on Twitter: @BuckeyesNow_FN
Follow BuckeyesNow on Instagram: @BuckeyesNow_FN

Like and follow BuckeyesNow on Facebook!