Better Know a Buckeye: Riley Pettijohn Already Looks Like a Big Ten Linebacker and Can Be a Day One Contributor for the Buckeyes

For the second consecutive cycle, Ohio State received two commitments from Texas, which is quite a feat in itself. The fact that it was two top-50 prospects, as Riley Pettijohn (No. 2 linebacker, No. 42 overall) joined five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez in the class, made it even more impressive.

Pettijohn is the highest-rated linebacker recruit the Buckeyes have landed since C.J. Hicks in the 2022 cycle, who finished with a composite ranking of No. 7 overall as the No. 1 linebacker.

How He Became a Buckeye

When Ohio State offered Pettijohn on Sept. 14, 2023, the Buckeyes instantly became one of the linebacker's top schools. That said, Texas seemed like the odds-on favorite for the Texas native.

But James Laurinaitis put on a full-court press for the Pettijohn, making it clear that he was a priority target for the Buckeyes even with Ohio State already having two linebackers – Eli Lee and Tarvos Alford – committed in the 2025 class.

As Pettijohn lauded OSU's culture and winning tradition while maintaining a close relationship with Laurinaitis, the Buckeyes became a favorite to land Pettijohn along with USC as the Longhorns seemed to fade late in his recruitment. On July 6, 2024, the Texas linebacker committed to Ohio State.

MOOD!!! pic.twitter.com/qSuqB4HkDS

Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) July 6, 2024

In his first recruiting cycle as OSU's linebackers coach, Laurinaitis secured the best linebacker class in the country, with Pettijohn leading the way.

“You always look for guys who can see the game at the second level,” Laurinaitis told Eleven Warriors at Rose Bowl media day in December. “I think one of the hardest things to project in recruiting are edge rushers who are playing off the ball and things are moving really fast with motions, shifts all that. It takes a really unique, really God-given ability to see the game because there’s a lot happening every play. So that, plus his speed, his work ethic, everything his coaches said about him and the way his tape looked really made you feel like, OK.

“You always gotta try and figure out if guys are going to fit your culture and the room that you have. I think all three of our (linebacker signees) were perfect fits.” 

High School Years

As a sophomore, he racked up 42 tackles (five tackles for loss), three sacks and five quarterback hurries in his first varsity season at McKinney.

Ohio State 4-star LB commit Riley Pettijohn is tough @r_pettijohn

A top-50 prospect in the ESPN 300, he digests plays quickly and possess major range that allows him to pile up tackles and finish plays strong. The sky is the limit

(Game film via @Hudl) pic.twitter.com/4BL3T2AamP

— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) July 18, 2024

Pettijohn followed that up with a massive junior campaign. He totaled 120 tackles (10 tackles for loss), three sacks, five pass breakups, one interception and a field goal block.

In 11 games as a senior, Pettijohn recorded 136 tackles (12.5 tackles for loss), 5.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, three pass deflections, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal in his senior season playing Class 6A Texas football. He concluded his season with an appearance in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl. He was also a finalist for the Butkus High School Award, which honors the nation’s top high school linebacker.

Riley Pettijohn doing Riley Pettijohn things@r_pettijohn | @McKinneyFBall pic.twitter.com/rXj46LrWvd

— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) October 19, 2024

At McKinney High School, Pettijohn lined up as both an outside linebacker and a middle linebacker and had the range to perform both roles exceptionally well. In coverage, Pettijohn had no issues dropping into a zone or lining up against opposing tight ends and running backs in man coverage. He was also a contributor on special teams.

Besides the gridiron, Pettijohn competed in track and field. As a junior, he ran a 10.77-second 100-meter dash.

Riley is the son of Duke Pettijohn, a defensive end for Syracuse from 1997-2000 who was a two-time All-Big East selection.

Immediate Impact

While Pettijohn could make a push for playing time as a freshman, Sonny Styles will be one of Ohio State’s two starting linebackers, while Arvell Reese will likely replace Cody Simon as the other starter in 2025.

With C.J. Hicks moving to the edge, Duquesne transfer Ty Howard is the only other upperclassman linebacker on the roster. While Payton Pierce will likely take up a spot on the two-deep, Pettijohn will compete with Garrett Stover and Alford to be the other backup linebacker.

“I think it’ll naturally just shake out,” Laurinaitis said of where the freshmen linebacker will fit into his unit this season. “Each and every year, your scheme changes, so I think we have to let things happen and we’ll see where it all falls. You put them at both positions and you see who does what best. A lot of times when you come into college schemes from wherever you were at, there’s going to be changes and you’ll be added to a great room we already have.”

At the very least, Pettijohn will compete for a role on special teams as a freshman.

Long-Term Impact

With Styles entering his senior season, at least one of Ohio State’s starting linebacker spots will be open entering 2026. That creates a potential opportunity for Pettijohn to become a starter as a sophomore after getting some playing time, learning the speed of the college game and developing his body in his first year in Columbus.

While he will have to compete with Pierce, Alford, Stover and others, he might be too good to keep off the field as a sophomore if he lives up to his recruiting billing.

Player Comparison: Raekwon McMillan

As a Buckeye, McMillan totaled 275 tackles (18 tackles for loss), six sacks, one interception, a touchdown, nine passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in three seasons.

He was then drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound linebacker has racked up 285 tackles (15 tackles for loss) in 72 games while playing for four teams heading into his sixth NFL season.

While Pettijohn is a bit smaller than McMillan, the freshman's hard-hitting ability, nose for the football, and prowess to do anything and everything that is needed at linebacker could very well make him as impactful as McMillan was in Columbus almost a decade ago.