Tommy Eichenberg LB Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Tommy Eichenberg LB Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/05/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.69 seconds (56%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.5 DOB: 11/11/2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
| Last Updated: 04/05/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.69 seconds (56%*) | |
| Age: 22.5 DOB: 11/11/2001 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 81.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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86% |
| Pass Rush: |
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74% |
| Run Defense: |
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81% |
| Coverage: |
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68% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#145
Position rank:
#10
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| College Games: 38 College Snaps: 1746 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| SirVocea Dennis - Pittsburgh |
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85% |
| Cam Jones - Indiana |
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85% |
| Marte Mapu - Sacramento State |
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80% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Tommy Eichenberg's journey to becoming a formidable linebacker for Ohio State began at St. Ignatius High School, where his potential was recognized early on—ESPN rated him as a 3-star recruit, while 247Sports awarded him a 4-star grade. This dual evaluation foreshadowed his impactful collegiate career following his heavy recruitment and subsequent commitment to Ohio State. Eichenberg's time with the Buckeyes showcased a trajectory of consistent improvement and dedication. Starting with a modest beginning in 2019, he saw action in just 2 games, contributing one tackle and one stop on a mere 5 snaps. His sophomore year continued on a similar path with limited playtime in one game and 2 tackles.The real momentum began in his junior year, 2021, when Eichenberg's role expanded significantly, participating in 13 games on 431 snaps. This year marked a turning point, as he racked up 45 tackles, 21 assists, and 31 stops, alongside 2 pass breakups and one interception, despite a challenging 134.1 QB rating when targeted.
His senior year in 2022 saw further escalation in his on-field presence, with Eichenberg playing in 12 games over 697 snaps, resulting in 84 tackles, 27 assists, 65 stops, 3 pass breakups, and one interception, improving his QB rating when targeted to 87.5. Additionally, his impact as a pass rusher became evident with 22 total pressures, including 4 sacks. In 2023, as a fifth-year senior, he solidified his reputation over 10 games and 607 snaps, contributing 57 tackles, 27 assists, and 31 stops, maintaining a presence in coverage and as a pass rusher with 11 total pressures and one sack.
Eichenberg's collegiate achievements, highlighted by his first-team All-Big Ten honors and the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year award, underscore his readiness for the professional stage, backed by a foundation of resilience, progression, and leadership.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exhibits exceptional instincts against the run, quickly diagnosing plays to position himself for impact.
- Strong and combative at the point of attack, effectively extends against blocks to disrupt offensive lines.
- Demonstrates notable linear speed, aggressively engaging with fullbacks on iso blocks and creating stalemates.
- Accurate and reliable tackler, consistently wraps up opponents with minimal missed tackles.
- Effective in coverage against tight ends in Tampa 2 scenarios, utilizing his speed adeptly.
- Recorded impressive stats in 2022, including 120 total tackles and 12 for loss, indicating high productivity.
- Has a keen sense for blocking schemes and keys, enhancing his play recognition and run defense.
- Embodies the toughness and passion expected of an NFL inside linebacker, playing through significant injuries.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Only average overall athletic ability - with most of his combine metrics hovering under the 50th percentile
- Lacks agility and lateral movement, making him less effective in man coverage and against play actions.
- Struggles with sideline-to-sideline range, which may limit his effectiveness against wide running plays.
- Zone coverage challenges, particularly as a hook defender, sometimes leaving areas open for receivers.
- Reliance on upper body strength could be a disadvantage against stronger NFL competition.
- Change-of-direction issues, over-aggressiveness can lead to vulnerabilities in play-action and shedding blocks.
Scouting Report: Summary
Tommy Eichenberg's draft profile presents a mixed bag, reflecting a player with clear strengths on the field balanced by notable areas for improvement. On the plus side, Eichenberg is a downhill thumper, excelling in run defense with the ability to disrupt backfield actions and clog running lanes effectively. His tackling is sound and reliable, showcasing the ability to stop ball carriers in their tracks. Eichenberg's instincts and football IQ stand out, allowing him to diagnose plays quickly and react with precision. His toughness and ability to play through injuries demonstrate a gritty, no-quit attitude that resonates well within the football community.However, Eichenberg's limitations in lateral agility and coverage skills raise concerns about his fit in the modern NFL, where versatility and the ability to play in space are at a premium. His struggle with sideline-to-sideline speed and difficulty in man coverage against more athletic tight ends and running backs could limit his role to early downs and specific packages. Furthermore, his challenges in shedding blocks and adapting to play action underline the need for development in his game to enhance his effectiveness against the pass.
Overall, Eichenberg's skill set positions him as a solid, scheme-specific linebacker capable of contributing immediately on special teams and in run defense roles. While his athletic limitations may cap his ceiling, teams employing a heavy zone coverage scheme or seeking a two-down linebacker could find value in his run-stopping ability and football acumen. As the NFL continues to evolve towards a pass-first league, Eichenberg's success at the next level will hinge on his ability to adapt and improve in coverage, potentially carving out a niche role within the right defensive system.
Tommy Eichenberg percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Tommy Eichenberg (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
100.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.