Four-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn commits to Ohio State
COLUMBUS — After a tough couple of misses on the recruiting trail this week, Ohio State hits a home run.
Four-star McKinney (Texas) linebacker Riley Pettijohn has committed to the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-1.5, 215-pound Texan committed to Ohio State over Texas, USC and Texas A&M. Pettijohn is the No. 33 overall prospect and the No. 2 linebacker in the On3 Industry Rankings. His ranking doesn’t move much by On3, checking in as the No. 42 overall prospect and the No. 2 linebacker.
His commitment is a massive win on the recruiting trail for the Buckeyes, led by linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.
Ohio State had always been a thorn in Texas’ side, who for the longest time was the perceived favorite. The Pettijohn family had their eyes opened up to everything that the Buckeyes program is and would be for their son during his official visit.
“We really enjoyed our trip back to Columbus,” Duke Pettijohn, Riley’s father, told Lettermen Row. “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 for Riley.”
This was the second trip the Pettijohn family made to Ohio State with the first being on March 30. Ohio State gave the Pettijohns a taste of what the program is like, but the official visit truly opened their eyes to everything the program is.
Especially linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.
“I think Coach Laurinaitis is a great LB coach and does a great job preparing his guys to compete at a high level and be successful. We love the competitive business-like atmosphere up there as well as the culture.
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Pettijohn is now the third linebacker committed to the Buckeyes’ top-ranked 2025 class. He joins four-star Port St. Lucie (Fla) Vero Beach linebacker Tarvos Alford and three-star Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban linebacker Eli Lee.
He joins edge rushers Zion Grady, Zahir Mathis and London Merritt. Defensive tackles Trajen Odom and Maxwell Roy round out the defense.
Five-star Plus+ cornerback duo Na’eem Offord and Devin Sanchez, four-star safety Faheem Delane, four-star safety DeShawn Stewart and three-star safety Cody Haddad are the secondary.
The Buckeyes are working toward another great offensive class too.
Five-star Bellefontaine (Ohio) quarterback Tavien St. Clair, four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Villa Angela St Joseph running back Bo Jackson, three-star Philadelphia (Pa) St. Joseph’s Prep running back Isaiah West, four-star Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer offensive tackle Carter Lowe, three-star Westerville (Ohio) North interior offensive lineman Jake Cook, four-star Washington (Okla) tight end Nate Roberts, three-star Cleveland (Ohio) Gilmour Academy tight end Brody Lennon, wide receiver Quincy Porter, wide receiver De’Zie Jones, and wide receiver Bodpegen Miller round out the class for Ohio State.
Ohio State has found another elite linebacker for the future.
Riley Pettijohn has committed to the Buckeyes.
