Top Texas Linebacker Riley Pettijohn Commits To Ohio State

Ohio State has received a verbal commitment from McKinney High School linebacker Riley Pettijohn.

Pettijohn (6-2 215) is a four-star prospect who is ranked the No. 4 linebacker in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite. He is ranked the No. 31 player overall and the No. 9 player in the state of Texas.

Rivals ranks Pettijohn as their top linebacker overall and the No. 33 player in the class. He is an athletic defender who can play any inside linebacker spot. He can cover a ton of ground and weave his way through traffic against the run.

Pettijohn took official visits to Ohio State, Texas, USC, and Texas A&M. He also held offers from Michigan, Georgia, LSU, Florida State, Oregon, and many others.

As a junior for McKinney last season, Pettijohn posted 120 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. In April, he posted a 10.77 100-meter time in track. As a sophomore he recorded 42 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.

The Buckeyes now have three linebackers committed in the 2025 recruiting class. Vero Beach (FL) prospect Tarvos Alford committed at the end of March. He is ranked the No. 5 linebacker in the nation and the No. 48 player overall.

Akron Archbishop Hoban’s Eli Lee committed to OSU back in October. He is ranked the No. 41 linebacker in the class and the No. 15 player in the state of Ohio. Lee was a First-Team All-State selection last year as a junior.

Ohio State now has 23 commits in a recruiting class that is currently ranked No. 1 nationally. Thirteen of those commitments have come on the defensive side of the ball. The Buckeyes now have commitments from the top two cornerbacks (Devin Sanchez, Na’eem Offord), two top-five linebackers, and two top-seven edge rushers (Zahir Mathis, Zion Grady).