Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau were named Monday to the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
Eichenberg led Ohio State last season with 120 tackles – the most since linebacker Joshua Perry notched 124 stops in 2014 – along with 12 tackles for loss, and was named a semifinalist for the award last season. Tuimoloau finished with 3.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, as well as a pair of interceptions.
The Buckeyes were one of nine schools with two nominees, while Clemson and Penn State led the way with three nominees each. Former Ohio State defensive end Chase Young is the only Buckeye to have previously won the award, doing so in 2019.
Other players within the Big Ten up for the award include Illinois defensive linemen Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph, Indiana defensive lineman Andre Carter, Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean, Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham, Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and linebacker Junior Colton, Michigan State linebacker Cal Hallway, Penn State cornerback Karen King, defensive end Chop Robinson and linebacker Abdul Carter, Rutgers defensive end Aaron Lewis and Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta.
