Former Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg had redemption on his brain when he decided to return for his fifth-year senior season rather than enter the 2023 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for him, the redemption he envisioned for his final season didn’t quite pan out the way he wanted.
The Buckeyes finished 11-2, suffering a 24-30 loss to Michigan in their regular-season finale, followed by a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. Eichenberg spoke on Wednesday at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, explaining that the back-to-back losses to rivals Michigan and Georgia to end the 2022 season took a toll on him.
“Those last two games last year hurt. It really did hurt losing,” Eichenberg said during his NFL Combine media availability. “And I never really told anyone that, but I felt like I couldn’t leave after those last two games.”
“I wanted to right some wrongs, and obviously my roommates were coming back too, so I just wanted to win, really.”
Eichenberg also suffered his own setback after dislocating his elbow against Rutgers in November, which forced him to miss his final two home games, including his Senior Day against Minnesota.
“I just wanted to be out there. I hated sitting. I hated missing games … I was a captain … But I thank Coach Day because I literally, I was not, I couldn’t play,” Eichenberg said.
In November, Eichenberg experienced a personal blow when he dislocated his elbow against Rutgers, missing his final two home games, including Senior Day versus Minnesota.
“All I wanted was to be outside. I detested taking a seat. It hurt to miss games. I was a captain. However, I am grateful to Coach Day because I was unable to play,” Eichenberg remarked.