Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes linebackers
The summer offseason is in full swing, and Lettermen Row is trying to survive it with our annual Position Week breakdowns. By the time all nine units and coaching staff at Ohio State have been covered, training camp and media days will nearly have arrived, and the return of football in the Horseshoe will be just around the corner. We’re continuing with our seventh positional week with a unit that returns its biggest stars: the Buckeyes linebackers.
COLUMBUS — Lettermen Row is kicking off Linebackers Week by taking a look at the basics of the linebackers at Ohio State. Let’s dive in.
Fifth-year linebacker Tommy Eichenberg
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 239 pounds
High school: St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Tommy Eichenberg was ranked as the No. 368 overall player in the country, the No. 43 linebacker and the No. 10 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2019.
Picked Buckeyes over: Eichenberg picked Ohio State after originally being committed to Boston College. He decommitted from the Eagles and picked the Buckeyes two weeks later.
Stats at Ohio State: Eichenberg has 186 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, two interceptions — one for a touchdown — five passes deflected and a fumble recovery in his Buckeyes career. He is also a team captain.
Fifth-year linebacker Steele Chambers
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 232 pounds
High school: Blessed Trinity Catholic (Roswell, Georgia)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Steele Chambers was ranked as the No. 202 overall player in the country, the No. 15 running back and the No. 23 player in the state of Georgia in the class of 2019.
Picked Buckeyes over: Chambers picked Ohio State over Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State and others.
Stats at Ohio State: Chambers has 125 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, three interceptions, four passes deflected, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in his Buckeyes career. He has those stats despite spending the first two years of his career at running back.
Fourth-year linebacker Cody Simon
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 239 pounds
High school: St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, New Jersey)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Cody Simon was ranked as the No. 61 overall player in the country, the No. 10 linebacker and the No. 1 player in the state of New Jersey in the class of 2020.
Picked Buckeyes over: Simon picked Ohio State over Nebraska and Notre Dame.
Stats at Ohio State: Simon has 90 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks, one interception, two passes deflected and a forced fumble.
Third-year linebacker Reid Carrico
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 235 pounds
High school: Ironton (Ironton, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Reid Carrico was ranked as the No. 88 overall player in the country, the No. 10 linebacker and the No. 5 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2021.
Picked Buckeyes over: Carrico picked Ohio State over nearly every other program in the country. He did so early in the recruiting cycle.
Stats at Ohio State: Carrico has just four total tackles in his first two years at Ohio State.
Second-year linebacker C.J. Hicks
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 230 pounds
High school: Archbishop Alter (Dayton, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star C.J. Hicks was ranked as the No. 14 overall player in the country, the No. 2 linebacker and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Hicks picked Ohio State over nearly every other program in the country. He did so early in the recruiting cycle, becoming an ace recruiter for the Buckeyes.
Stats at Ohio State: Hicks has six career tackles at Ohio State.
Second-year linebacker Gabe Powers
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 230 pounds
High school: Marysville (Marysville, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Gabe Powers was ranked as the No. 115 overall player in the country, the No. 9 linebacker and the No. 7 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2022.
Picked Buckeyes over: Powers picked Ohio State over nearly every other program in the Midwest. He did so early in the recruiting cycle.
Stats at Ohio State: Hicks has no career stats at Ohio State.
Freshman linebacker Arvell Reese
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 225 pounds
High school: Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)
On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Arvell Reese was ranked as the No. 187 overall player in the country, the No. 20 linebacker and the No. 5 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2023.
Picked Buckeyes over: Reese picked Ohio State over Alabama, Michigan and others.
On3 Scouting summary: One of the more physically-gifted linebacker prospects in the 2023 cycle. Measured at over 6-foot-3, and around 220 pounds with a 32.75-inch arm prior to his senior season. Gained around 20 pounds after the end of his junior year. Turned in multiple 4.65 second 40-yard dash times at a regional camp prior to his senior season. Played a portion of his junior year, working as a linebacker. Showed tantalizing range, athleticism and striking power in the small sample. Has the speed and athleticism to run sideline to sideline. Plants ball carriers on impact. Also has the ability to rush off the edge on passing downs. Transferred to traditional power Glenville prior to his senior season. Has one of the higher upsides among linebackers in the 2023 cycle, but has a smaller body of work at this time.
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