Tommy Eichenberg predicts how good Ohio State will be in 2024

Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg was one of eight Ohio State players that got invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, as the Buckeyes continue to produce NFL-caliber talent. But many of the Buckeyes’ key players decided to stay with the team ahead of the 2024 season, as Ohio State now boasts one of the strongest rosters across college football.

Eichenberg spoke with CBS Sports’ Rick Spielman and Ryan Wilson at the combine last week and was asked how he believes his alma mater will perform next season as they enter a new era of the Big Ten and college football as a whole.

“Yeah they’re gonna be really really good and I was so happy to see all those guys comes back, especially on the defense too,” Eichenberg said.

The Buckeyes may have sent eight players to Indianapolis last weekend, but they also returned eight all-conference players to their team this offseason. Half of which are on the defensive side of the ball, which has Eichenberg particularly excited.

“We call ourselves the ‘Mud Dogs’ from The Waterboy and so we’ve kind of built an identity of who we wanted to be and the standards we wanted to live up to. And the standards of great players like your brother that played there and the great defenses,” Eichenberg said referring to Ohio State legend Chris Spielman.

Eichenberg was a key piece of Ohio State’s defense that last year was one of their best units in recent history, holding opponents to just 11 points per game.

He was a two-time captain and three-year starter for the Buckeyes, but with standout players like J. T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, and Denzel Burke returning next season along with the transfer portal addition of former Alabama safety Caleb Downs, Ohio State should be able to pick up where they left off.

“I’m glad they want to keep upholding that standard,” Eichenberg said.

For as exciting as the Buckeyes’ defense is this upcoming season, per usual their offense is as well. With players like running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka returning to the team along with transfer portal additions like quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins.

The Buckeyes also added former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly to their staff as their new offensive coordinator, making it clear that Ohio State is going all in on and off the field as they look to return to the Big Ten title game and make some noise in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.