On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Texas trending for elite 4-star LB Riley Pettijohn
Texas is beginning to clean up on the in-state recruiting trail. Steve Sarkisian’s pledge list now features four Lone Star State commitments, two of whom are top-100 prospects.
According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), another big one could be on the way, too.
Oklahoma recruiting insider Josh McCuistion became the third to log a pick in favor of Texas landing McKinney (Texas) four-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn on Friday. On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong and Texas insider Justin Wells have each done the same, giving the Longhorns a whopping 93.2% edge in the RPM.
Pettijohn is set to begin his official visit stretch with a trip to Ohio State for the May 31 weekend. Officials to USC (June 7), Texas (June 14) and Texas A&M (June 21) are currently set to follow. He’s already visited each program at least once this spring.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder was back in Austin for Texas’ spring game last month. He and his father Duke were impressed by what Sarkisian and his staff are building as they transition into the SEC.
“The biggest takeaway we had was the amount of talent at every position and the recruits that were in attendance gave a glimpse as to what they have in their pipeline. They have a great linebacker room and system that I feel Riley would fit and thrive just fine,” Duke told Wiltfong after the visit.
“Overall we like the direction of the program and people they have there supporting these young men like Coach (Jahmal) Fenner and Coach (Chris) Gilbert.”
Pettijohn is the No. 38 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.
Texas vying for another top-10 recruiting class
After cashing in the No. 6 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings last cycle, Texas currently sits at No. 12 in the nation thus far in the 2025 cycle. The addition of Pettijohn would likely provide a major push into the top 10.
Seven prospects currently make up the class, headlined by Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove four-star EDGE Lance Jackson, the No. 46 overall prospect and No. 4 EDGE in the nation. He’s flanked by two other top-100 recruits in Dallas Skyline four-star LB Elijah Barnes and Saraland (Ala.) four-star quarterback K.J. Lacey.
The 5-foot-11 Lacey has been pledged to the Longhorns for nearly a year. He has continued to rise and now ranks No. 87 overall and is the No. 10 signal-caller in the cycle. Barnes committed last month and checks in at No. 84 overall and No. 10 at LB.
Calhoun (Ga.) four-star tight end Emaree Winston and Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill four-star running back Rickey Stewart Jr. are both top-300 commits, while Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie four-star defensive lineman Brandon Brown and Port Neches (Texas) Neches-Groves three-star interior offensive lineman Jackson Christian round out the class.