As the college football season begins its stretch run, some players are separating themselves from others by being named as finalists for post-season awards. On Monday, Buckeyes Tommy Eichenberg was named by the Butkus Foundation as one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award for the best linebacker in college football.
Eichenberg has been a standout linebacker for the Buckeyes all season, registering a team-best 75 tackles, one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and one forced fumble.
It's the second consecutive season Eichenberg has been named as a semifinalist. Last year, the Cleveland, Ohio native did not emerge as a finalist, although putting up impressive numbers. His 120 tackles, 12 for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, one touchdown, and three pass breakups were overlooked by the foundation.
Although passed up for the Butkus Award last year, Eichenberg did receive All-Big Ten and All-American honors.
This season, Eichenberg is one of 12 semifinalists for the 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).
Eichenberg graduated in May as a fifth-year senior with his degree in real estate and is a two-time Academic all-Big Ten honoree and OSU Scholar-Athlete. He was a four-star recruit who was a consensus top-10 ranked player in the state of Ohio as a high school senior.
Finalists will be announced later this month, while the winner of the Butkus Award will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards banquet in December.
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