In Ohio State's two-linebacker scheme, Jim Knowles needs Buckeyes he trusts to fill that position's spots. Luckily, the defensive coordinator has Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers.
On Thursday, Eichenberg and Chambers were named to a watch list for the Butkus Award, an honor presented to the best linebacker in college football. The pair of Buckeyes accompanied Deontae Lawson of Alabama, Jaylen Ford of Texas, Nick Jackson of Iowa and several other linebackers on the list.
x2 | Best Linebacker in College Football
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 10, 2023
@tommyike41 x @steeleC22 pic.twitter.com/TIaWJasEbv
Eichenberg had a breakout season in 2022, recording a team-best 120 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one interception and one touchdown across 13 appearances. Even more, he racked up some of those numbers as he played with two broken hands. After the season, Eichenberg received first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-American honors. He was also a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.
While not as productive as his grunting teammate, Chambers also excelled last year, collecting 77 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one touchdown in 13 appearances. Chambers received honorable mention All-Big Ten honors after the season – his second as a full-time linebacker after a position switch from running back in 2021.
Eichenberg and Chambers return to Ohio State in 2023 as leaders of a defense that will look to improve in Knowles' second year as defensive coordinator, especially against opponents that possess similar talent to the Buckeyes, such as Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan.
With Chambers named to the Butkus Award watch list, Ohio State has now had 14 players receive preseason recognition. We have included all of those Buckeyes below with their respective honors:
Ohio State Players on Preseason Watch Lists
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award
- WR Emeka Egbuka: Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award, Paul Hornung Award
- G Donovan Jackson: Outland Trophy
- G Matt Jones: Outland Trophy
- DT Mike Hall Jr.: Outland Trophy
- DE JT Tuimoloau: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy
- LB Tommy Eichenberg: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy, Butkus Award
- LB Steele Chambers: Butkus Award
- S Lathan Ransom: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award
- P Jesse Mirco: Ray Guy Award
- TE Cade Stover: Mackey Award
- RB TreVeyon Henderson: Doak Walker Award
- RB Miyan Williams: Doak Walker Award
- CB Denzel Burke: Jim Thorpe Award
