Ohio State football team picks up commitment from five-star linebacker

The Ohio State football program doesn't have much experience at linebacker this season. Cody Simon has played in a lot of games but hasn't started consistently. Sonny Styles started at safety last season. C.J. Hicks has hardly seen snaps period. Those are the guys who are going to be playing this year.

For the future, the Buckeyes are hoping to have some better prospects. They are hoping that the recruiting trail can help them get more options. One of those options they have been hoping to add is five-star recruit Riley Pettijohn out of the state of Texas.

Pettijohn was choosing between the Ohio State football program and Texas on Saturday. Pettjohn had picked up a few predictions for the Buckeyes, but nothing was certain until he made his decision. Recruits can always change their mind at the last minute.

In the end, Pettijohn decided to commit to the Buckeyes and James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis is trying to show that he can consistently recruit now that he is a full-time coach on the staff. Picking up a five-star recruit who can stop the run, blitz effectively, and drop in coverage is a good start.

Pettijohn becomes the 23rd member of the 2025 recruiting class for Ohio State. He also helps the Buckeyes increase their lead for the best recruiting class in the country. It doesn't look like they will be losing that lead anytime soon either because they aren't done adding prospects.

The Buckeyes are still trying to gain commitments from some five-star receivers and a five-star offensive lineman. Ryan Day is doing a good job of making this the best recruiting class in school history. They have never finished with the best recruiting class in the country.

Can Ohio State land those additional five-star recruits? Only time will tell. Getting Pettijohn is a good start.