The Ohio State Buckeyes have at least one player who will be a major snaps-getter in the early going of the 2026 season at one of the linebacker positions, based on spring practices, at least according to Land-Grant Holy Land's Cole Van Wiechen. That's the long-haired former Wisconsin Badgers wunderkind Christian Alliegro.
The Connecticut kid has many convinced that he can be as disruptive a force as Arvell Reese was. Like Reese, Alliegro played football for most of his life, but played at a different position. Also like Reese, Alliegro is being moved by Buckeyes LB coach James Laurinaitis.
The progress Alliegro made this spring has Van Wiechen bullish on Alliegro being a difference-maker quickly in what'll be his fourth year in the Big Ten, though his first on the edge and not primarily in the middle.
"The Buckeyes lost significant production and athleticism with Reese’s departure, particularly in pressure looks and matchup flexibility. Alliegro may not replicate Reese’s exact explosiveness and athletic ability, but he does offer many of the same alignment possibilities within the structure of the defense," Van Wiechen wrote.
"Perhaps most importantly, though, he gives Ohio State something it absolutely needed entering 2026, proven experience, and that alone may make him one of the safest bets in the room to play major snaps immediately."
Alliegro not only looked the part physically this spring, on the weak side and the strong side, while mixing in off-ball snaps, but he was also vocal in a leadership role. Everything you could've wanted in a veteran Reese stand-in, Ohio State seemingly has with Alliegro.
Payton Pierce and Riley Pettijohn will be key complementary pieces to Christian Alliegro
Just as important to the defense's success as Alliegro in 2026, Payton Pierce will be filling in Sonny Styles' role in the middle. As the green-dot helmet-wearer, Pierce is going to need to be communicative and display leadership abilities as well.
Pierce enters his third year in Columbus, being fully expected to see multiple years of development under Laurinaitis, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, and former DC Jim Knowles, pay off in a major way. He's been slowly moving from a special teams role to a contributor in the LB room, but now he's the elder statesman. It's his time to prove himself as a former 4-star recruit from Class 5A Division II Texas High School Football.
Finally, there's Riley Pettijohn, the planned full-time Will LB. As a sophomore, Pettijohn could be due for a huge year. As the best man in coverage in the room and the most natural fit to cover tight ends or running backs, Pettijohn is someone built for Patricia's blitz-light schemes.
All three will be instrumental in keeping the standard of strong LB play alive. Laurinaitis could have a legacy year that defines his early coaching career if these three can live up to the notable preseason billing the spring has spurred.
The Ohio State University machine has a tough act to follow with Reese and Styles gone, but they just might do it this fall.
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