Ohio State's already strong recruiting class got better on Saturday.
Five-star 2025 linebacker Riley Pettijohn committed to Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes three highly touted linebacker commits in James Laurinaitis' first recruiting cycle as a full-time assistant coach.
Go Bucks https://t.co/NYuAoORYxL
— Riley Pettijohn (@r_pettijohn) July 6, 2024
BOOM!!!!! pic.twitter.com/HpDtYfF5CU
— James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) July 6, 2024
The moment that 4 LB Riley Pettijohn committed to THE Ohio State Univeristy.
— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 6, 2024
The No. 5 LB in the nation chose Ohio State over Texas, Texas A&M, and USC.
MORE: https://t.co/5PCf3ksUWr pic.twitter.com/LhSEu2mExJ
With Pettijohn and four-star Florida linebacker Tarvos Alford in the fold, it's the first time since 2014 that OSU has landed two top-five linebackers in the same class (Dante Booker and Raekwon McMillan). Pettijohn is the highest-rated linebacker to commit to OSU since C.J. Hicks in the 2022 cycle, and the first five-star out-of-state linebacker the Buckeyes have landed since Baron Browning in 2017.
— Tarvos Tj Alford II (@TarvosAlford_II) July 6, 2024
Lets work
— Riley Pettijohn (@r_pettijohn) July 6, 2024
With Eli Lee also in the fold, Ohio State arguably has the best trio of linebackers in a recruiting class in Ryan Day's tenure.
@r_pettijohn @TarvosAlford_II #SilverBullets pic.twitter.com/wmOliYBzGn
— Eli Lee (@EliLee12) July 6, 2024
BOOM! #Gobucks #SilverBullets https://t.co/vyFwj6mTGe
— Eli Lee (@EliLee12) July 6, 2024
Since fellow Texan Devin Sanchez committed to Ohio State in January, the five-star cornerback and his family have been some of the best recruiters for the Buckeyes in the 2025 class. Sanchez's father, Daniel, was particularly pleased by Pettijohn's decision on Saturday.
The best in Tx go where they want.@r_pettijohn#THE25
— Daniel Sanchez (@dsanchez051724) July 6, 2024
— Daniel Sanchez (@dsanchez051724) July 6, 2024
Sonny Styles is a few years removed from being a recruit. But since converting to linebacker from safety in the offseason, Styles is pleased that the Buckeyes' recruiting efforts continue to be strong at the position.
— sonny (@sonnystyles_) July 6, 2024
Like Sanchez, five-star 2025 quarterback Tavien St. Clair has also done a lot of heavy lifting on the peer recruiting trail and was equally pleased to see Pettijohn pledge to the Buckeyes.
We back up!!! https://t.co/sCMEIMEIKM
— Tavien St. Clair (@TJSaint_1) July 6, 2024
Ohio State has two Texans committed for 2025 in Pettijohn and Sanchez. A third highly touted prospect from the Lone Star State is considering OSU as well, four-star 2025 wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon. McCutcheon will announce his commitment on July 13.
O-H-I-O https://t.co/5CpqEld5IB
— Daylan McCutcheon (@daylanmccutch11) July 6, 2024
Both of Ohio State's offensive line commitments, Jake Cook and Carter Lowe, welcomed Pettijohn to the Buckeyes' 2025 class.
BOOOMM https://t.co/zT8AcdUG2E
— Carter Lowe (@big_carter72) July 6, 2024
Lets go! https://t.co/fWbCkuOT7J
— Jake Cook (@CookJake52) July 6, 2024
Finally, a few members of Ohio State's football staff also chimed in after Pettijohn's announcement.
MOOD!!! pic.twitter.com/qSuqB4HkDS
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) July 6, 2024
B REGS!!!!
— Gerren DuHart (@CoachDuHart) July 6, 2024
Atta boy @JLaurinaitis55 pic.twitter.com/EYlCzkwSwx
— Sam McGrath (@CoachMcGrath22) July 6, 2024
