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Ohio State linebacker commit Riley Pettijohn named five-star

On3 imageby: Matt Parker08/13/24MattParkerLR
Riley Pettijohn by Scott Schrader -- USC On3
2025 four-star linebacker and Ohio State commit Riley Pettijohn. (Scott Schrader/WeAreSC)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has recruited some of the best talent in the country in the 2025 cycle. One of those impressive talents has a new accolade to his collection.

McKinney (Texas) linebacker Riley Pettijohn was named a five-star prospect on Tuesday in the On3 Industry Rankings. The 6-foot-1.5, 215-pound Pettijohn got the rankings bump after Rivals released its updated rankings. Pettijohn is the No. 32 overall prospect and the No. 2 linebacker in the On3 Industry Rankings. On3 has Pettijohn as the No. 43 overall prospect and the No. 2 linebacker.

He committed to Ohio State on July 6 over a group that included Texas, Texas A&M and USC. Pettijohn made official visits to all four programs with the Buckeyes serving as the lead-off official visit.

“[Coach Day] has been a big part of my recruitment,” he said. “Definitely staying in contact with him and hearing his plan for me, what he has in store for me for when I get on campus.”

“My relationship with Coach Laurinaitis, it’s just been really strong and I like his plan for me to develop me as a player and a person. I like the way I fit into the defense.”

His official visit to Ohio State really moved the needle. Trips by the Ohio State coaching staff to McKinney during the visit period in the winter helped, as did Pettijohn’s trip to Columbus in March.

But that official visit pushed things in the Buckeyes’ favor.

“We really enjoyed our trip back to Columbus,” Duke Pettijohn, Riley’s father, told Lettermen Row. “The biggest takeaway we had was just the consistency and transparency in everything about the program. Ohio State is an elite institution that is poised to remain for a long time and we like that for Riley.”

Pettijohn is now the fourth five-star prospect committed to the Buckeyes. He joins cornerback duo Devin Sanchez (No. 5) and Na’eem Offord (No. 9) and quarterback Tavien St. Clair (No. 2). Pettijohn is one of three linebackers committed to Ohio State. Tarvos Alford and Eli Lee are the other two in the class.

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