Signed: Buckeyes add elite linebacker Riley Pettijohn to the program
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2025 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Riley Pettijohn has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Beating Texas, Texas A&M and USC for four-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn was one of the biggest recruiting wins for the Buckeyes in the 2025 class. Pettijohn has now signed his Letter of Intent to Ohio State and is officially a Buckeye.
What does it mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s check it out.
Who is Riley Pettijohn?
Riley Pettijohn is a four-star linebacker from McKinney, Texas. He attended McKinney High School High School. He committed to the Buckeyes on July 7, 2024 over offers from Big Ten and SEC programs. Pettijohn was the highest profile recruiting win of the cycle for first-year linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.
On3 Industry Rankings: No. 46 overall, No. 2 LB, No. 12 in Texas
On3 Ranking: No. 44 overall, No. 2 LB, No. 12 in Texas
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
High School: McKinney
Riley Pettijohn is one of the most athletic linebacker prospects in the country, regardless of class. He laid down some fantastic times this spring in running a 10.77 in the 100-meters at 6-foot-1.5 and 215 pounds. Pettijohn has also been highly productive the past two seasons at McKinney. He led the Lions with 125 total tackles as a junior then followed it up with 115 total tackles as a senior.
Pettijohn is one of three linebacker commitments for the Buckeyes in the 2025 class. Ohio State has perhaps the best linebacker class in the country with Pettijohn, TJ Alford and Eli Lee.
How did Pettijohn end up at Ohio State?
The Dallas area product was viewed as a Texas lean throughout his recruitment. Ohio State and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis never stopped pursuing him, however.
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The Buckeyes offered Pettijohn in September of 2023. He made his first visit to Ohio State in April of 2024 and he returned to Columbus in June for an official visit.
Ohio State, Texas A&M, Texas and USC all hosted Pettijohn for official visits this summer. He entered into decision mode shortly after and quickly realized that the Buckeyes had everything he was looking for.
“The way they produce draft picks and the way they are constantly competing for a national championship,” Pettijohn told On3. “The way they develop their players [too].”
Pettijohn will be an early enrollee and on campus in January after playing in the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 11.
