One of the Wildcats' top playmakers is up for one of the top individual awards in the country. 

Senior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg has been named to The Butkus Award® 2018 High School Watchlist.

Named after the legendary Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, the award honors the top 'backer in the country at three levels of football – high school, college, and professional. Butkus played for nine seasons, earning 8 consecutive Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. 

Eichenberg has garnered local and national attention for his play at linebacker in 2017. The 6'3," 225-pound product Eichenberg led the team with 81 tackles and 7.5 sacks, finishing second on the squad with 19 tackles for loss and adding nine quarterback hits, four pass breakups, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

In late June, Eichenberg announced his commitment to Boston College after receiving a myriad of college offers. The future Eagle will be a key part of the Linebacker Legion in 2018.

Eichenberg is glad to receive the nomination to the watch list, but individual awards don't mean too much to the seniors.

"It was awesome to see," said Eichenberg. "I saw there are only three linebackers from Ohio and there are a lot guys around the country recognized. But I don't care as much about the individual stuff, I want to win a state championship."

Youngstown Cardinal Mooney's Luke Fulton and Lexington's Cade Stover are the other Ohio players on the list. For the full list, click here. 

Eichenberg and the Wildcats are in the midst of "two-a-days" with the season quickly approaching. The men of Chuck Kye '69 with match up with Jim McQuaide's Solon Comets for a scrimmage next Tuesday at 10 am. SIBN will have live coverage of the scrimmage.