Each year, Ohio is known for having some of the best talent playing high school football. The past two classes have been loaded with some of the top players in the nation, and the class of 2016 is no exception to the rule.
One of the best in Ohio for this class is offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg. The St. Ignatius standout is highly regarded as one of the best prospects not only in Ohio but the nation. He and fellow Ohioan Tommy Kraemer, an Elder star, are the top two offensive lineman in the class.
Eichenberg earned an offer from Ohio State in the summer of 2013 when he was just going to be a sophomore at St. Ignatius. His recruitment has really taken off since then; he has received offers from the likes of Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. The Ohio State offer was something special for him.
"Growing up in a Buckeye family, my parents and grandparents were both Buckeye fans. It was an honor," Eichenberg told Eleven Warriors. “Most kids don't get an offer from The Ohio State University, so it was something special."
Eichenberg is not a stranger to Ohio State, as he has been on campus several times throughout his recruitment. He most recently visited for The Game, as he saw Ohio State and Michigan battle it out.
"We went down [to Ohio Stadium] an hour before the game," Eichenberg said. "We went to the recruiting room and talked to a few people there. Then we went down to the field and got to see the quick cals. Then we went to our seats and we just saw all of these recruits. I saw how much hate there was for Michigan, and there is just no other rivalry like this. The visit went well.”
Of the schools currently on Eichenberg's list, there are two he likes more than the rest: Notre Dame and Ohio State. Michigan was in the running, but Eichenberg eliminated the Wolverines from his list because of the coaching changes going on. Ohio State and Notre Dame have different draws for him.
For Ohio State: "They are the hometown team. I love coach [Urban] Meyer and coach [Ed] Warinner. Coach Warinner just won the offensive line coach of the year. Three [Ohio State] rookies are starters on NFL teams, so I know he produces NFL players."
Notre Dame: "St. Ignatius is a Catholic school, so for anyone that goes there, Notre Dame is their dream school. If I didn't have football, I would never be going to Notre Dame. Also with Notre Dame, it is a forty-year plan because, after football, Notre Dame helps you with that."
One thing working in Ohio State's favor is Dre'Mont Jones, a teammate and good friend of Eichenberg. Jones, a Buckeye commit in the class of 2015, has been recruiting him to Ohio State but also understands that it is ultimately Liam's decision.
This season, Eichenberg and his St. Ignatius teammates finished 7-5, losing in the second round of Ohio's Division I playoffs. What many people don't know is that Eichenberg toughed out most of the season with a torn meniscus.
As for the next step in his recruitment, Eichenberg is taking more visits. "I am probably going to Ohio State for their junior day," said Eichenberg. "I will also probably visit Notre Dame and stay overnight there. I am hoping to make a decision in the summer. I want to take official visits."
Whichever team Eichenberg chooses come signing day 2016, be it the Buckeyes or the Fighting Irish, is going to land a talented and tough player.
