• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Hot

Forum list

Hot

 Threads Latest activity Posts Social Questions
plum diamonds buckeye planet

LGHL BOOOOOM! Five-star 2025 LB Riley Pettijohn commits to Ohio State

BOOOOOM! Five-star 2025 LB Riley Pettijohn commits to Ohio State
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

GPGdkD9WEAA2w_z.0.jpeg

Ohio State commits Tarvos Alford (left) and Riley Pettijohn (right) with James Laurinaitis (center). | @r_pettijohn on Twitter

James Laurinaitis has put together an insane linebacker class in his first offseason as full-time position coach.

This offseason, Ohio State finally promoted James Laurinaitis to a full-time assistant, allowing the three-time All-American to coach the position he starred at as a player for the Buckeyes. In addition to an increased role on the practice field and on game day, it also meant Laurinaitis could now get out on the recruiting trail.

That move has already paid dividends, with Ohio State securing commitments from high four-star Florida linebacker Tarvos Alford as well as Eli Lee, the No. 2 in-state linebacker in the 2025 class. With two exceptional players already in the fold, it allowed the Buckeyes to aim high in its search for a third member of the group, and Laurinaitis was able to do that and more.

On Saturday, five-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn announced his commitment to Ohio State. The Texas native is the No. 4 LB and No. 31 overall prospect nationally per the 247Sports Composite.


BREAKING: Elite 2025 LB Riley Pettijohn has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’2 220 LB from McKinney, TX chose the Buckeyes over USC, Texas A&M, & Texas

“Ohio State feels like home & I’m ready to come in and compete for a National Championship & Butkus… pic.twitter.com/zjdFVwHLhM

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 6, 2024​
Click to expand...

Pettijohn chose the Buckeyes over Texas, Texas A&M and USC — his finalists out of 30-plus offers. The 6-foot-1.5, 215-pound linebacker took an official visit to Ohio State on May 31, where Laurinaitis, Jim Knowles and the rest of the defensive staff laid out their plan for his development. For a while it seemed as though the in-state programs were the frontrunners to land Pettijohn, but a late surge for the Buckeyes swayed the McKinney star to Columbus.

“We really enjoyed our trip back to Columbus,” Pettijohn’s father told On3 after the visit. “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.”

Pettijohn is an impressive athlete, competing in track and field in both the 100-meter dash and the long jump. After finishing his sophomore football season with 42 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks, Pettijohn really broke out as a junior. He registered 125 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks and an interception in 2023, adding four QB hurries and a blocked field goal. Pettijohn comes from an athletic family as well, as his father Duke Pettijohn was a two-time All-Big East selection at Syracuse in 1997-2000 as a defensive end.

Here is some of what 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks had to say of the new Ohio State commit:

“Athletic volume tackler who can fit multiple off-ball linebacker roles in varying schemes. Well-developed build with a stout, athletic base. [...] Displays chase-down athleticism and closing speed to the degree of compensating for occasional less-than-ideal angles. Knack for effectively playing around blocks rather than through them. [...] Possesses the physical and athletic traits to become a multi-year high-major starter who could develop into a coveted NFL Draft candidate.”
Click to expand...

As previously mentioned, Pettijohn becomes the third linebacker in this class for Ohio State, with Laurinaitis landing two of the top five players in the country (composite ranking) at the position between he and Alford. Pettijohn is the highest-rated linebacker to commit to the Buckeyes since C.J. Hicks in 2022, and is the fourth composite five-star in this cycle for Ohio State, joining Devin Sanchez, Na’eem Offord and Tavien St. Clair.

Ryan Day’s 2025 group now features 11 top-100 players, maintaining its lead as the No. 1 class in the country. At 310.47 points, Ohio State has already surpassed each of its previous three recruiting classes (not including transfers) with still more work to be done. The Buckeyes currently hold 23 total commits, but will likely wind up signing closer to 28-30 players with this new era of the transfer portal requiring larger classes.

Quick Hits​

  • There is now a set commitment date for Ohio State’s biggest remaining target it the 2025 class. Five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. has scheduled his decision date for Aug. 17, with a final four schools that includes the Buckeyes alongside Georgia, Nebraska and Tennessee.

Sanders, the No. 1 OT and No. 2 overall player in the country per the 247Sports Composite, was once viewed as a Clemson lean, but since then Ohio State and Tennessee have surged to the top. The North Carolina native has played his recruitment very close to the vest, and it is unclear at this current moment who exactly is the favorite to land the nation’s best offensive lineman.

If Ohio State wants to finish this cycle with the No. 1 overall class, Sanders is a necessary piece of the puzzle. It would also obviously be a huge addition for position coach Justin Frye, whose recruiting chops and development have come into question lately.


FINAL 4️⃣ WHERE’S HOME ⁉️ pic.twitter.com/fVVazg8ast

— David Sanders Jr. (@DavidLSandersJr) July 7, 2024​
Click to expand...
  • According to Steve Wiltfong, Ohio State is in good position to try and flip defensive tackle Malik Autry from Auburn. The 6-foot-5.5 lineman out of Opelika, Alabama has been committed to the Tigers since February 2023, but took an official visit to Columbus at the end of June and is close friends with OSU commit Zion Grady. While there is likely much more work to be done, the Buckeyes have to like where they stand for the No. 4 DL and No. 29 overall player per 247Sports’ rankings.

Ohio State is the favorite to flip 2025 four-star defensive tackle Malik Autry according to Steve Wiltfong. pic.twitter.com/fECxkhSI5V

— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) July 7, 2024​
Click to expand...

Continue reading...
Click to expand...

Google Ohio State football recruiting: Five-star LB Riley Pettijohn commits as Buckeyes bolster top-rated 2025 class - CBS Sports

Ohio State football recruiting: Five-star LB Riley Pettijohn commits as Buckeyes bolster top-rated 2025 class - CBS Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Ohio State football recruiting: Five-star LB Riley Pettijohn commits as Buckeyes bolster top-rated 2025 class CBS Sports

Continue reading...
Click to expand...

Google Five-Star Offensive Tackle David Sanders Jr. Includes Ohio State in His Final Four Schools, Will Commit on Aug - Eleven Warriors

Five-Star Offensive Tackle David Sanders Jr. Includes Ohio State in His Final Four Schools, Will Commit on Aug - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Five-Star Offensive Tackle David Sanders Jr. Includes Ohio State in His Final Four Schools, Will Commit on Aug Eleven Warriors

Continue reading...
Click to expand...

LGHL Burning Questions: What are this year’s best college football games?

Burning Questions: What are this year’s best college football games?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Ohio State v Michigan

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

It’s likely not too surprising which games are the most anticipated on this year’s schedule

From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the most important questions yet unanswered for the season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content and our ”Burning Questions” articles here.


We are now less than two months away from the start of the college football season. With the opener between Florida State and Georgia Tech over in Ireland getting closer, it is starting to feel real that the start of the season is just around the corner.

Before you know it, Labor Day weekend will be here and we’ll be getting ready to watch Ohio State thrash Akron and take in the rest of the action on the gridiron over the next four months. So what games should be appointment viewing in 2024?

While the correct answer is every game since every year it feels like the college football season is over just after it begins, we know there is only so much Iowa football that a person should watch. To try and make things a little easier, I have put together a list of my top-10 games this year.

Even though a lot of these contests will likely be pretty obvious, at least looking ahead to them can help to reinforce our excitement for the season, which is going to be like no other because of the expansion of the College Football Playoff.

10) Arizona v. Utah - Sept. 28​


Although Kansas State and the rest of the schools in the Big 12 will have something to say about it, this could very well be a preview of the conference’s championship game. You know the Wildcats, Oklahoma State, and some of the other “originals” in the conference would hate it if two schools from the Pac-12 moved over to the Big 12 and won the conference title in their first season in the league.

What makes this game so interesting is the amount of talent both squads have returning this year. Arizona should have one of the best combos in the country with quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Last season McMillan hauled in 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 scores.

On the other side, Cam Rising is starting his 33rd year of college football. The Utah quarterback missed all of last season after suffering a knee injury against Penn State in the 2023 Rose Bowl. The Utes usually have one of the toughest defenses in the country, which will make it a fascinating battle against Fifita and the Arizona offense.

9) Oklahoma v. Tennessee - Sept. 21​


Who knows if Oklahoma is going to be competitive in their first season in the SEC. What is going to be fun is to see Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel return to Norman, where he won a national championship as quarterback of the Sooners. Not only is Heupel a legend at Oklahoma because of his play on the field, he also was an assistant coach on Bob Stoops’ staff for nearly a decade.

Oklahoma’s schedule in their first season in the SEC is brutal. Along with their annual showdown against Texas, the Sooners have games against the Volunteers, Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Alabama.

It’s a good thing Brent Venables signed a contract extension a few weeks ago because otherwise his seat might be getting hot if he can’t win a couple of those games. At least quarterback Jackson Arnold should be fun to watch for the Sooners this year.

8) Clemson v. Florida State - Oct. 5​


Last year saw Florida State add to Clemson and Dabo Swinney’s woes when they went on the road and beat the Tigers 31-24 in overtime, snapping a seven-game losing streak against Clemson. The Seminoles would go on to finish the regular season undefeated and win the ACC Championship Game before being passed up for the playoff because of the injury late in the season to quarterback Jordan Travis.

Last season was the first year since 2010 where Clemson didn’t win at least 10 games in a season. Of course we all know that Ohio State broke Dabo when they beat Clemson 49-28 in the 2021 Sugar Bowl, but a lot of the recent struggles for the Tigers can be attributed to Swinney’s refusal to utilize the transfer portal.

Are Dabo’s best days behind him? Not only will this year say a lot about where Swinney stands, the matchup in Tallahassee is going to be massive when it comes to the ACC and College Football Playoff races for both teams.

7) Ohio State v. Penn State - Nov. 2​


As much as I can’t stand Penn State, they always show up to play against Ohio State, especially when the game is in State College. Luckily for Buckeye fans, usually the Nittany Lions only take the game down to the wire, they don’t end up actually beating Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have won 11 of the last 12 against Penn State, with the only setback during that span coming in 2016 when the Nittany Lions won 24-21 in Happy Valley.

Penn State v Ohio State
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images

With the expansion of the Big Ten, following this year’s game the schools won’t meet until 2028. Even though it will feel unnatural for the neighbors to not meet annually, that’s the reality of the new college football. Old rivalries get left in the dust as conferences change and the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams.

Hopefully there is another thrilling contest in State College this year that ends in yet another Ohio State victory!

6) Texas v. Michigan - Sept. 7​


This game almost was last year’s title game, as Texas gave Washington all it could handle in the Sugar Bowl. The Longhorns look like they are stacked again, while Michigan has to not only replace their head coach, they’ll also have a new starting quarterback after J.J. McCarthy was taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Wolverines also have a brutal schedule with games against USC, Washington, Oregon, and Ohio State later in the season.

It would be amazing if the Big Ten hadn’t linked up with FOX since this is a game that feels like it should be under the lights and not a noon kickoff. Plus, it will be wild to see Michigan welcome a team with a pulse to Ann Arbor in September after what felt like years of directional in-state non-conference foes and other Division I weaklings.

Maybe Quinn Ewers can do something his former team hasn’t been able to do in a few years: Beat Michigan.

5) Texas v. Texas A&M - Nov. 30​


The last team these rivals met was back in the 2011 season before Texas A&M moved to the SEC. Despite the teams being in different conferences, there was hope the schools would still be able to square off of the field, and there were even bills filed by politicians in Texas to reinstate the rivalry. Now that Texas is also a member of the SEC, the schools are scheduled to play later this year for the first time in 13 years.

Fans in College Station might not be too happy with the result this year since Texas is looking like a contender for the College Football Playoff, while Texas A&M will be in its first season under new head coach Mike Elko. Then again, the Aggies are always tough to beat at Kyle Field, and you just know the intensity of the 12th Man is going to be kicked up a few notches for their first game against the Longhorns in over a decade.

4) Georgia v. Alabama - Sept. 28​


It’s not often these two powers meet during the regular season. The last time these teams played before December was back in 2020 when the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs 41-24 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has dominated the series lately, winning eight of the last nine against Georgia. The lone loss to the Bulldogs was in the 2021 national title game, which was the first of Georgia’s back-to-back national championships.

2023 SEC Championship - Georgia v Alabama
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

This marks the start of a new era of the Georgia-Alabama rivalry, as this will be the first meeting between the schools with Kalen DeBoer at the helm for Alabama. Despite the Crimson Tide having a new coach, they still have plenty of players from last year’s team that beat the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game, including quarterback Jalen Milroe.

This could be the first of two, or even possibly three meetings between the schools this year.

3) Georgia v. Texas - Oct. 19​


From Georgia going against a new coach in the SEC to the Bulldogs taking on one of the new schools in the SEC. A week after the Longhorns battle hated rivals Oklahoma in Dallas, they’ll return to Austin to take on a Georgia team that is one of the favorites to win the national title.

This marks the sixth meeting all-time between the schools, and the first since Texas won 28-21 in the 2019 Sugar Bowl. You’ll likely remember that game since before the start UGA tried to step to Bevo and almost immediately regretted that decision.

There’s a reason both teams are going to enter the season ranked in the top-five. They are a couple of the most talented teams in college football and there’s no reason to think they won’t make the CFP. What makes this game fun is seeing Georgia head to Austin for an on-campus game.

Even though conference realignment has destroyed some of our favorite things about college football, it also gives us a chance to embrace some things we have rarely seen in the past.

2) Ohio State v. Oregon - Oct. 12​


This game is going to be the marquee contest on a loaded Saturday in October. The Buckeyes head out to Eugene to take on the Ducks in the first battle between the schools as conference foes.

This marks the second time Ohio State has taken the trip out west to Oregon’s home turf. The first meeting came in 1967 when Ohio State shutout the Ducks 30-0. There was supposed to be a meeting in Eugene in 2020 but COVID-19 scrapped the contest, and even if we hadn’t been in the midst of a pandemic, wildfires might have made it tough for the game to be played since the air quality was so poor.

There’s a reason why this is one of the most anticipated games of the college football season. Ohio State and Oregon are both loaded on offense and have dynamic defenses. There’s a very real possibility this will be the first of two or three meetings between the teams.

It certainly would be fitting if in the first year of the College Football Playoff Ohio State and Oregon met for the title, and if they did again in the first year of the CFP being a 12-team playoff.

1) Michigan v. Ohio State - Nov. 30​


Did you really think the top spot was going to be any other contest besides “The Game”? After nearly two decades of domination by Ohio State, Michigan has not only won the last three meetings with the Buckeyes, they are also the defending national champs.

Despite his outstanding record during his time as head coach of the Buckeyes, the majority of the very few blemishes on Ryan Day’s record have come to the Wolverines.

If there was ever a year to regain some momentum in the rival, it’s this year for Ohio State. Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL and Michigan will have a new starting quarterback this year. Plus, they won’t have Connor Stalions and his magic spying vacuum cleaners.

While Michigan did swipe running backs coach Tony Alford from Ohio State, the Buckeyes immediately upgraded when they hired Carlos Locklyn from Oregon. It would be great to see the Buckeyes hand Alford a loss in his first season in Ann Arbor.

Who knows, we could see this matchup a week later in the Big Ten Championship Game since the conference did away with division after adding four teams. What would be better than beating Michigan? Beating Michigan twice in the same season. Go Bucks!

Continue reading...
Click to expand...
Load more

Filter

Back
Top