Spring Preview: Buckeye Linebackers Looking For More Depth

Overview

New defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will have a say in how many linebackers play at a time this season, but the Buckeyes return one of the top duos in the conference in senior Sonny Styles and junior Arvell Reese. Behind them are five very young, but very talented players, as well as a transfer from Duquesne.

Scholarship Roster

Sonny Styles, Sr, 6-4 235
One of the leaders in the defense set to blossom even more in his second season at linebacker.

Ty Howard, rJr, 6-0 200
Transfer from Duquesne who could play a Sam/nickel for the Buckeyes this season.

Arvell Reese, Jr, 6-4 238
Took off last year in first full year at linebacker; now expected to shine at middle linebacker.

Payton Pierce, Soph, 6-2 223
Played Will last year but is expecting to move to Mike this season. Could be the top backup at both spots.

Garrett Stover, rFr, 6-1 220
Speedy linebacker redshirted last season but should have a sizable role on special teams this season.

Eli Lee, Fr, 6-3 230
Prototype middle linebacker from the state of Ohio, so there’s a lot to like.

Riley Pettijohn, 6-2 220
Athletic linebacker was one of the top recruits at his position nationally.

TJ Alford, 6-2 210
Physical defender that Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis had to fight for down the stretch.

For Starters

Sonny Styles started 15 games at Will linebacker last year as a junior — as well as the season opener at middle linebacker. He has 28 career starts to his credit — and won’t turn 20 years old until November. The Buckeyes have lost starting middle linebacker Cody Simon to the NFL, but Arvell Reese backed him up very well last season. He will step in for Simon and is expected to be just fine.

New Additions

The Buckeyes signed three high schoolers and brought fourth-year junior Ty Howard in from Duquesne. Howard lined up all over for Duquesne but could compete for a role as a Sam/nickel linebacker. Riley Pettijohn — out of Texas — is the No. 2 linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class. He posted 240 tackles his final two years of high school. TJ Alford is ranked the No. 13 linebacker in the class. He was a Navy All-American Bowl selection. Ohioan Eli Lee is ranked the No. 64 linebacker in the class. He posted 119 tackles in the regular season as a senior. All four linebackers are now on campus.

Spring Depth Chart

Don’t get too hung up on the positions here. The freshmen could end up anywhere. There is no Sam linebacker listed yet. There may or may not even be a third linebacker spot employed this spring.

Mike

20	Arvell Reese
26	Payton Pierce
NA	Riley Pettijohn OR
NA	Eli Lee

Will

6	Sonny Styles
23	Garrett Stover
NA	TJ Alford
NA	Ty Howard

What’s The Latest

Sonny Styles’ Will linebacker spot will often be filled by somebody else this spring as he gets some well-earned rest from last season. The job to back him up is wide open, so somebody will have an opportunity to make a lasting impression this spring. Redshirt freshman Garrett Stover is going to have some freshmen breathing down his neck, but he’s got a very big head start. Could Payton Pierce factor in here while Arvell Reese continues to grow as the middle linebacker?

Expectations

When you talk to the Buckeyes and the defensive coaching staff, the confidence is very high in Arvell Reese being able to step in for Cody Simon. He made great strides last year in his first full season at linebacker. He has not played so much that he’ll need an easy spring. He falls into the category of players who are new starters and can use the work. Reese is a physical big hitter, but the spring will force that skill into the background and he’ll need to bring the rest of his game out into the open.

Question Needing An Answer

Can one of the freshmen step up in the spring and create some competition? They’ll all need to be involved in special teams this season, but can one — or more — of them establish themselves in some way on defense? Overall, this is a top-heavy room that needs to build some depth. There will be 15 practices this spring for somebody to make an impression.

Breakout Candidate

Don’t be surprised if sophomore Payton Pierce earns a bunch of praise this spring. There’s only so much impressing that a linebacker can do when there are rarely any pads being worn in the spring, but that doesn’t mean his reading and reacting won’t be a point of focus. There will still be plenty of coachable reps and gradeable tests throughout the spring.