Thirteen Ohio State Buckeyes defensive players are led by Tommy Eichenberg and have earned postseason honors.

Thirteen Ohio State Buckeyes defensive players are led by Tommy Eichenberg and have earned postseason honors.

Many Ohio State players have been recognized for postseason honors since the defense was among the best in the Big Ten.

All season long, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been among the top defenses in college football, placing second in scoring defense, third in total defense, first in passing defense, and 22nd in rushing defense.

The defense managed to position the Buckeyes for a ticket to the College Football Playoffs and a Big Ten Championship berth.

But after losing to Michigan on Saturday, the Buckeyes would ultimately fail to reach that objective.

That shouldn’t, however, detract from the defense’s outstanding play throughout the season.

Several Buckeyes defenders have been recognized for their exceptional play with post-season awards.

The most notable recipient of the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award is Tommy Eichenberg of Ohio State; he is the top linebacker in the Big Ten.

With 82 tackles, Eichenberg ranked top on the team at the end of the season. In ten games, he also recorded 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, four quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble.

Together with JT Tuimoloau, a defensive end for the Buckeyes, and Denzel Burke, a cornerback, Eichenberg was also named to the first team of the Big Ten.

Defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer were both selected to the second team of the Big Ten.