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Click on his moms X account. Ryans first day of class photo pops to the top and he's out there in 20 degree weather with slides on! Read moms caption. LOL
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Better Know a Buckeye: Riley Pettijohn Already Looks Like a Big Ten Linebacker and Can Be a Day One Contributor for the Buckeyes
Riley Pettijohn already looks like a Big Ten linebacker and has the intangibles and skill set to get on the field early at Ohio State.
Better Know a Buckeye: Riley Pettijohn Already Looks Like a Big Ten Linebacker and Can Be a Day One Contributor for the Buckeyes
Immediate Impact
While Pettijohn could make a push for playing time as a freshman, Sonny Styles will be one of Ohio State’s two starting linebackers, while Arvell Reese will likely replace Cody Simon as the other starter in 2025.With C.J. Hicks moving to the edge, Duquesne transfer Ty Howard is the only other upperclassman linebacker on the roster. While Payton Pierce will likely take up a spot on the two-deep, Pettijohn will compete with Garrett Stover and Alford to be the other backup linebacker.
“I think it’ll naturally just shake out,” Laurinaitis said of where the freshmen linebacker will fit into his unit this season. “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.”
At the very least, Pettijohn will compete for a role on special teams as a freshman.
Long-Term Impact
With Styles entering his senior season, at least one of Ohio State’s starting linebacker spots will be open entering 2026. That creates a potential opportunity for Pettijohn to become a starter as a sophomore after getting some playing time, learning the speed of the college game and developing his body in his first year in Columbus.While he will have to compete with Pierce, Alford, Stover and others, he might be too good to keep off the field as a sophomore if he lives up to his recruiting billing.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Riley Pettijohn Says He Can “Do A Little Bit Of Everything,” Thinks He Can Get on the Field and Make Plays for Ohio State in Year One
Riley Pettijohn says he's gone from 215 pounds to 227 pounds this spring and he expects to get on the field and make plays in his first year at Ohio State.
Riley Pettijohn Says He Can “Do A Little Bit Of Everything,” Thinks He Can Get on the Field and Make Plays for Ohio State in Year One
A typical day for freshman linebacker Riley Pettijohn this spring isn’t for the faint of heart.
The No. 2-rated linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class, Pettijohn often starts his day by waking up early and strolling to Ohio State’s practice facility, the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
He starts by watching practice film from the previous day, making notes of where he thrived and what he needs to refine going forward. Then he’ll either have practice, or if it’s an off day, he’ll lift weights. When he completes those, he’ll have meetings with Ohio State’s coaching staff, primarily linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, who will offer his input on Pettijohn’s play so far.
“Riley Pettijohn, he has a great feel for the game,” Laurinaitis said. “The burst is there … Any time you have freshmen on the field, you get these lumps of clay you’re excited to form a little bit. The most important thing with young players is that you’re learning a lot.”
And of course, he’s also a student-athlete, so following his football obligations, he heads to the classroom. He’ll end his night with some film study, part two.
“I want to know what I did wrong, what I can improve on and help me learn new installs,” Pettijohn said of what he watches during film.
That may seem like a lot for someone who’s just finished his third month on campus, but Pettijohn came to Ohio State with lofty expectations as a top-45 recruit in the nation, and he has lofty goals for himself in his freshman year.
“Just getting on the field and making plays,” Pettijohn said of what he hopes to accomplish in year one. “I feel like that’s a good expectation for me.”
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