Eichenberg Seizing The Moment

College football isn’t easy as there are many ups and downs a player can experience. 

Liam Eichenberg has already experienced a few of those moments as he heads into his junior season. 

The 6-foot-6, 308-pounder had to demonstrate patience in 2017 as he was playing behind All-American left tackle, Mike McGlinchey, while also watching classmate Tommy Kraemer and freshman Robert Hainsey rotate at right tackle. 

“I kind of had a slump for a little bit,” explained Eichenberg. “I thought Coach (Harry) Hiestand might have favorites or something, but then I realized I didn’t put in the work. 


“I feel like I have matured a little bit and I realized the position I was in behind Mike. He was the No. 1 tackle taken in the draft. I took it as an opportunity to get better and learn from one of the best in the country.” 

Part of the maturity process for Eichenberg was handling the disappointment of finding out he wasn’t going to be in the starting five heading into last fall. He could have packed it in, but he decided to make the best of his situation and is in line to make his first start against Michigan on September 1st. 

“You don’t want to hear that after camp,” Eichenberg said of last fall. “You don’t want to hear you’re going move back and forth between the left side and the right side. I had to come to grips with it. I talked to Coach Hiestand, my parents and I decided to do whatever it takes to get better. 

“When the spring rolled around, I was going to take the spot. It was going to be mine.”

The first day of spring practice, Eichenberg wasn’t with the first team at left tackle, but he didn’t let that bother him. He put his head down and went to work. 

“I expected it,” stated Eichenberg. “Rob had experience and played a full season rotating with Tommy. I understood it. I took any opportunity I had to play the best possible.” 

A few practices into the spring, Eichenberg found himself back on the left side and had his best practice in an Irish uniform. 

“They ended up switching us over, and it was like riding a bike,” said Eichenberg. “It was so much more comfortable. I was happy I got the opportunity.

“The first practice I got switched to left tackle, I had the best practice I’ve had in the spring. It was a turning point where I set the standard, and I can’t go below that now.” 

Winning the left tackle job was just the first step of many to come for Eichenberg. There are going to be ups and downs as there is with any first-time starter, but the Ohio native is already focused on taking everything play by play. 

“For me, it’s the mental aspect,” Eichenberg stated. “I have to focus on this play and not past or the future. I’m trying to improve that every day.” 

Eichenberg also had a great offseason in the weight room. He got his weight up, and the difference in strength and weight has already been apparent during camp. 

“From a strength perspective, it was anchoring down,” Eichenberg said of his biggest gains. “I was around 285-290 last year, and now I’m right around 306. Coach (Matt) Balis is going to make you stronger in all aspects.”