Elite 2025 LB Riley Pettijohn names USC in Top 6
USC has been named in the top group for elite McKinney (Tex.) linebacker Riley Pettijohn.
The 6-foot-2, 215 pounder is down to the following: USC, Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State, Texas, and Texas A&M, On3’s Hayes Fawcett announced today.
Pettijohn is the No. 27 overall prospect and No. 3 linebacker in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also ranked as the No. 7 player in Texas.
The DFW star has visited USC twice before, once last spring and again in the fall of this most recent season. He has said he expects to visit once again this upcoming spring with a possible official visit down the line.
Breaking down the finalists
Pettijohn discussed what stood out about each school with On3.
“USC is up there because I like what they are building right now and Coach Entz and Coach Lynn have great coaching backgrounds.”
“I like Georgia because I’ve always watched and like them growing up. Coach Schuman and his background definitely is making me consider them.”
“I like Ohio State because they are always top 5 in developing players and producing draft picks and I have a good relationship with the coach too.”
“With FSU I love the direction they are going in and everything Coach Norvell stands for and I have a good relationship with Coach Shannon as well.”
“I like Texas and my relationship with Coach Sark is good. Coach Nansen also has a good coaching background too.”
“Texas A&M really surprised me in a good way and then bringing in Coach Bateman was a plus, especially since he recruited me at Florida.”
Scouting Summary
On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:
“Smooth and twitchy mover at the linebacker position who can run sideline to sideline with ease but also play as a true inside thumper with a nose for the football. Extremely impressive overall athleticism in a camp setting. Ran an excellent 11.22 100m and jumped a 5-foot-10 high jump during his sophomore track and field season. Measured in at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds during summer camp visits. Tremendous space player who is extremely comfortable in man and zone coverage. Triggers well to the football and closes to ball carriers quickly and efficiently. More likely to slip a blocker than stack and shed. Has the frame to add necessary mass for the next level. Upside is through the roof. One of the top overall prospects in the 2025 recruiting cycle.”
He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $100K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.
