Elite 4-star LB Riley Pettijohn visits Texas for Longhorns spring game
Texas is once again set to host a jam-packed list of visitors on The Forty Acres this weekend, this time for its spring game.
Momentum is building for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns on the recruiting trail, and the new SEC program will look to capitalize once more with some of the top targets on campus. That includes McKinney (Texas) four-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is back in Austin as Texas continues to trend for his pledge:
Pettijohn has already taken multiple visits to Texas this year and has locked in a June 14 official visit with the in-state program. The Longhorns are ahead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) thanks to a prediction in favor of Texas via recruiting insider Justin Wells last month.
On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons recently updated where things stand in the race for Pettijohn, as he’s also set officials to Ohio State, USC and Texas A&M. The Longhorns look to be in the front of the pack, however.
“I think there’s some correlation there that Texas is in a great spot. He liked the University of Texas. They have a new linebackers coach he’s connected with there in Austin. I like where Texas sits. But, he will take the process out; he will take some spring trips, summer OVs and then make that decision,” Simmons said.
“I’d say for one their trajectory in college football, one of the top teams,” Pettijohn’s father Duke said of UT to On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong. “Being in the SEC and in Texas.
“Now after getting to know and meet Sark a couple times and him bringing Coach (Johnny) Nansen and his experience as a former head coach, offense and defense coordinator experience, and this type of defense they run, I feel like it would be a great fit for Riley.”
Pettijohn is the No. 39 overall prospect and No. 2 LB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 9 player in Texas.
Longhorns looking to land another in-state LB
April has already witnessed a pair of commitments for Texas. Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill four-star running back Rickey Stewart Jr and Dallas Skyline four-star linebacker Elijah Barnes have each joined the fold — both of whom committed coming off visits.
Barnes is the No. 85 overall prospect and became the third top-100 recruit to join Sarkisian’s pledge list. Texas will now look to add another major in-state linebacker in Pettijohn.
Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove four-star EDGE Lance Jackson pledged in January and has continued to rise in the On3 Industry Ranking, now checking in at No. 47 overall. The class was kicked off with a bang back last June, as Saraland (Ala.) four-star quarterback K.J. Lacey pledged to the Longhorns. He is the No. 10 QB in the cycle.
Calhoun (Ga.) four-star tight end Emaree Winston and Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie four-star defensive lineman Brandon Brown committed to UT on back-to-back days. Texas’ class currently ranks No. 8 in the nation and No. 4 in the SEC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.