Tommy Eichenberg has been recognized as the nation’s best defensive player for the first week of the college football season.
The Football Writers Association of America announced Wednesday that it named Eichenberg as the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, recognizing his performance in Ohio State’s 21-10 win over Notre Dame, in which he recorded nine total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Buckeyes stifled Notre Dame in the season-opener and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg of @OhioStateFB has earned our @NagurskiTrophy National Defensive Player of the Week honor. https://t.co/F62SvvUlHQ pic.twitter.com/FZvcapESqh
— Football Writers Association of America (@TheFWAA) September 7, 2022
The Buckeyes’ starting middle linebacker, who was on the field for all 50 of Ohio State’s defensive snaps against the Fighting Irish, led the way as the Buckeyes held Notre Dame to only two scores – with none in the second half – and 253 total yards, including just 2.5 yards per rushing attempt.
After winning the first weekly award of the season, Eichenberg is now on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which honors college football’s defensive player of the year.
