OSU, Day get pledge from Cleveland LB

Ryan Day picked up its first recruiting commitment since being named Urban Meyer’s successor as Ohio State’s football coach when linebacker Tommy Eichenberg made his pledge Thursday night.

“Officially committed to The Ohio State University,” the four-star prospect from Cleveland St. Ignatius wrote on Twitter.

At 6 feet 3 and 225 pounds, Eichenberg, recruited primarily by linebackers coach Bill Davis, is considered No. 19 among inside linebacker prospects nationally in the 247Sports composite of major recruiting rankings. He also will be remembered as the first new recruit to join the 2019 OSU class since Day was promoted from offensive coordinator Tuesday.

“I think this is going to take a huge weight of the shoulders of Ryan Day,” Rivals recruiting analyst Marc Givler said. “Not that coach Day is unsure of himself, but this is going to allow him to go out with even more confidence.

“When I say that, I don’t mean just because they landed a player. We’ve got Eichenberg rated as the sixthbest overall prospect in the state. And the Buckeyes are in on some other very good players headed toward the first signing day on Dec. 19.”

Eichenberg pushed the Buckeyes’ list of commitments to 16 for the 2019 class, with all 15 previously committed before Meyer’s retirement holding firm. There were seven players committed for 2020, but two have since stepped back, defensive back Lejond Cavzos and lineman Jake Wray.

Jordan honored

Ohio State junior center Michael Jordan was named first team All-American by Sports Illustrated and was named to the second team by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

It marked the third straight season Sports Illustrated named an OSU guard-turnedcenter to its first team, doing so in 2016 with Pat Elflein and last season with Billy Price, both of whom also went on to win the Rimington Trophy.