Former Wisconsin Linebacker Christian Alliegro Commits to Ohio State

Former Wisconsin linebacker Christian Alliegro committed to the Buckeyes on Thursday, as the senior elected to spend his final year of eligibility in Columbus.

Sources: Wisconsin veteran linebacker Christian Alliegro has committed to Ohio State. He picked the Buckeyes after visiting OSU and Texas. Alliegro is an experienced and productive linebacker who has 124 career tackles, eight career sacks and 14 career TFLs. pic.twitter.com/UyWpCZ9ovC

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 8, 2026

Alliegro played a rotational role for the Badgers in 2024, playing in all 12 games but starting just three. He played 10 snaps or fewer in Wisconsin's first two games that year, per Pro Football Focus, 32 snaps or fewer in the next five before surging to the top of the depth chart with at least 67 snaps in UW's final four contests. He finished his sophomore campaign with 66 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

The start of Alliegro's junior season showed the true depths of his potential. In his first seven games, he racked up 48 tackles, six TFL and two sacks. Then, in that seventh game against Ohio State, he broke his arm. Despite playing through the injury the rest of the contest, he missed Wisconsin's next two games with the injury and wasn't the same while wearing a club upon his return. He never recorded more than two tackles in his final three games.

All told, Alliegro finished 2025 with 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. A savvy, physical player with a nose for the football, he could fill in at either Mike or Will linebacker next season for Ohio State.

There will be some competition for Alliegro when he arrives at Ohio State. The Buckeyes' No. 3 linebacker, Payton Pierce, returns after a 43-tackle season coming off the bench in 2025. Sophomore Riley Pettijohn is a five-star prospect who showed flashes during his brief appearances as a freshman.

Lets go to work!!! @ChristianAllie7 https://t.co/68YUoxrNMO

— Payton Pierce (@payton_pierce26) January 8, 2026

Regardless, adding a player with Alliegro's experience strengthens Ohio State at the linebacker position in 2026 after it had the nation's best tandem, All-Americans Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, in 2025.

Alliegro is the fifth transfer addition for Ohio State in 2026, joining former UCF defensive tackle John Walker, UTSA wide receiver Devin McCuin, Ohio tight end Mason Williams and UCF long snapper Dalton Riggs.