Many were a bit surprised when Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg opted to return to Columbus for another season with the Buckeyes.
It was a good surprise, as the returning Buckeye leader in tackles,
That recognition has actually already started,
as today Pro Football Focus named Eichenberg as one of their top 10 returning linebackers.
He was third on their list, with just Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and LSU’s Harold Perkins ahead of him.
There were also two other Big Ten players inside the top 10, Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Wisconsin’s Maema Njongmeta.
Max Chadwick, who broke down the list for PFF,
notes that Eichenberg is the “most valuable returning linebacker”
according to their wins above average metric. He was also named a PFF All-American this past season.