Tommy Eichenberg highlights Buckeyes presence on all-Big Ten defensive team

COLUMBUS — The defensive turnaround at Ohio State looked like it was complete — until it wasn’t.

The Buckeyes defense looked entirely different under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for 11 weeks and through the first quarter on Saturday. The final three quarters of the loss to Michigan over the weekend showed there are ongoing issues.

Still, Ohio State was much improved overall on that side of the ball this season. Coaches and media across the Big Ten saw that, choosing to name three Buckeyes defenders as first-team all-Big Ten selections.

That group is led by linebacker and team captain Tommy Eichenberg, who was chosen as a first-team all-conference performer by both the media and the coaches. He is the lone unanimous selection from Ohio State on the Big Ten first-team, which was released Tuesday. Defensive end Zach Harrison was named first-team all-league by the media, while defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau was a first-team selection by the coaches.

Ohio State didn’t have a defender on the second-team all-league list, but defensive back Ronnie Hickman was named a third-team selection by both the coaches and media, and defensive tackle Michael Hall cracked the third-team with a nod from the media. Kicker Noah Ruggles was also a third-team selection from the media.

Ohio State still isn’t where it needs to be defensively to beat Michigan and win the Big Ten. Sure, the program took a major step forward this season, and the all-conference selections reflect that.

But there’s still plenty of work to do to be better next fall.

Ohio State All-Big Ten defensive selections

First Team

• LB Tommy Eichenberg (media and coaches)
• DE J.T. Tuimoloau (coaches)
• DE Zach Harrison (media)

Third Team

• DB Ronnie Hickman (coaches and media)
• DT Michael Hall (media)
• K Noah Ruggles (media)

Honorable Mention

• CB Denzel Burke
• DE Jack Sawyer
• DB Lathan Ransom
• LB Steele Chambers
• DB Tanner McCalister
• DT Tyleik Williams
• P Jesse Mirco