Ohio State insider logs prediction for Buckeyes to land elite LB Riley Pettijohn

McKinney (Texas) four-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn is set to announce his commitment on Saturday, choosing between  Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State and USC.

Momentum has long been around the in-state schools, but with a decision just 24 hours out, some eyes are beginning to look toward Columbus. On Friday afternoon, Ohio State recruiting insider Alex Gleitman logged a pick in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine in favor of the Buckeyes landing the elite defensive prospect.

Ryan Day and Co. have never wavered in their pursuit of the 6-foot-1.5, 215-pounder. Pettijohn visited OSU at the end of March and returned on the weekend of May 31 for his first official visit. That recent OV made a mark on Pettijohn and his family.

“We really enjoyed our trip back to Columbus,” Pettijohn’s father, Duke, told On3. “The biggest takeaway we had was just the consistency and transparency in everything about the program. Ohio State is an elite institution that is poised to remain for a long time and we like that.”

Earlier this week on the ‘Wiltfong Whiparound’ On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong explained that he felt the Buckeyes were entering the weekend with a slight edge over the Longhorns, Aggies and Trojans.

“Well, the On3 RPM is on Texas right now. I do not think it’s going to be the Longhorns,” Wiltfong said. “Ohio State and USC are the two programs that, when that story broke, looked like they were in the best position. But Texas A&M, led by defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, continues to battle there.

Talking to some sources on Wednesday, I feel like there might be some momentum around Ohio State. He knows where he’s going to go, so these conversations that he’s having here late — can they change his mind or not? That’s kind of where he’s at with this process as he works up to his Saturday decision. If you’re asking me today on Wednesday who do I think it’s going to be — I’m not sleeping on USC or the Aggies, but I might give the inch or two to the Buckeyes right now.”

Pettijohn is the No. 33 overall prospect and No. 2 LB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 9 player in Texas.

Ohio State already owns the No. 1 class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. A commitment from Pettijohn would give the Buckeyes 11 top-100 pledges this cycle.