Jim Knowles reveals why Tommy Eichenberg surprised him most this spring

Jim Knowles didn’t know what to expect when he arrived in Columbus as the next Ohio State defensive coordinator, but he was pleasantly surprised by linebacker Tommy Eichenberg. Coming off of his best season with the Buckeyes in 2021, Eichenberg picked up right where he left off this spring.

In a recent media appearance, Knowles told reporters he tried not to take previous seasons in account too much when evaluating his new players. Even so, Eichenberg made himself impossible to ignore.

“I tried to have a completely open mind with where guys were at,” Knowles said. “I didn’t try to take anything into account from the past. But I would say Tommy Eichenberg has done a heck of a job. I threw a lot at him and was very demanding on those linebackers to learn it and learn it right now. I just thought he picked everything up. His football intelligence was great. He seemed to really understand the system from start to finish and he figured things out.”

Eichenberg is the second-leading returning tackler for the Buckeyes after recording 64 tackles (6.5 for loss) in 2021. That production, coupled with the praise he received from Knowles after spring ball, should make the linebacker one of the key pieces of the defense this upcoming season.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, Eichenberg ranked as the No. 41 linebacker and No. 384 overall player according to On3 Consensus. He did not see much time during his first two seasons, recording just two tackles in that time. That all changed last year and he isn’t likely to slow down any time in the future.

Knowles is entering his first season as the Buckeyes defensive coordinator after four seasons in the same role at Oklahoma State. He helped the Cowboys to a 12-2 finish this past season as they led the nation in sacks (57) and fifth in rushing defense (87.6 yards allowed per game). The Philadelphia native now has his sights set on a similar turnaround at Ohio State, which ranked 59th in total defense this past season.

The Buckeyes are coming off of an 11-2 finish to 2021 that included a victory in the Rose Bowl against Utah. They return starting quarterback and Heisman finalist CJ Stroud, so the offensive should once again remain one of the most explosive in the nation. Now it’s up to Jim Knowles and Tommy Eichenberg to ensure the Ohio State defense is on the same level.