The Hurry-Up: James Laurinaitis Praises Riley Pettijohn's Ability to "See The Game At The Second Level," OSU Playfully Ribs Recruits Who Chose Oregon Instead of the Buckeyes

By Garrick Hodge on January 3, 2025 at 5:39 pm
Riley Pettijohn
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When James Laurinaitis first evaluated Riley Pettijohn, he was impressed with the standout Texas linebacker’s on-field acumen. 

Now an Ohio State signee, Pettijohn always displayed strong instincts and field vision in his prep film.

“You always look for guys who can see the game at the second level,” Laurinaitis told Eleven Warriors at Rose Bowl media day. “I think one of the hardest things to project in recruiting are edge rushers who are playing off the ball and things are moving really fast with motions, shifts all that. It takes a really unique, really God-given ability to see the game because there’s a lot happening every play. So that, plus his speed, his work ethic, everything his coaches said about him and the way his tape looked really made you feel like, OK.

“You always gotta try and figure out if guys are going to fit your culture and the room that you have. I think all three of our (linebacker signees) were perfect fits.” 

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Pettijohn is considered the No. 41 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class and the country’s No. 2 linebacker per 247Sports’ composite rankings. In his senior season, he recorded 136 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries, three pass deflections, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal. Pettijohn attended OSU’s Rose Bowl win over Oregon on Wednesday and is expected to be an early enrollee with Ohio State this month.

Laurinaitis said he doesn’t envision putting Pettijohn at a specific linebacker position yet to start his collegiate career but thinks it’ll work itself out eventually.

“I think it’ll naturally just shake out,” Laurinaitis said. “Each and every year, your scheme changes, so I think we have to let things happen and we’ll see where it all falls. You put them at both positions and you see who does what best. A lot of times when you come into college schemes from wherever you were at, there’s going to be changes and you’ll be added to a great room we already have.”

OSU playfully ribs recruits who chose Oregon

To the victor goes the spoils. Or more particular to this segment, to the victor goes the last word. Ohio State has been locked in various recruiting battles with Oregon over the past year, taking their fair share of wins and losses. Some of the more notable losses included five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord, cornerback Dorian Brew and safety Trey McNutt.

As the clock expired, five-star cornerback signee Devin Sanchez filmed Tim Walton warning recruits to “be careful what you ask for,” while another OSU staffer playfully jabbed to not go to Oregon for a shoe deal.

Walton himself also posted to Instagram with a caption that read “Recruits — choose wisely. Them choices you gotta live with! BIA.” 

Rogers goes for more than 100 in UA All-Star All-America game

Ohio State running back signee Anthony Rogers put on a terrific performance in Thursday’s Under Armour All-America game. Rogers, the lone OSU signee/commit to participate in the contest, ran for 101 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. His longest run on the day was 75 yards. 

Buckeyes signees react to Ohio State’s Rose Bowl win

There were no shortage of OSU signees on hand in California to witness the Buckeyes’ dominant win over Oregon. Following the decisive victory, some took to social media to give credit to their future teammates. We compiled some of their reactions below.

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