McKinney, Texas, 2025 five-star linebacker and Ohio State target Riley Pettijohn (6-2, 215) is inching closer to making a decision on his commitment, with the prospect narrowing his list of preferred schools down to four and setting a commitment date for Saturday.
According to 247Sports, Pettijohn — the nation’s 31st-best prospect and fourth-best linebacker in the 2025 class — has formally narrowed down his list of schools to Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M and USC. There are also reportedly three “contenders” to land the five-star, although it is not clear as to which schools they are.
Pettijohn has taken visits to all four schools this summer, most recently taking a visit to Ohio State in early June. Pettijohn told 247Sports that his visit to Columbus exceeded his expectations, which has many believing that the Buckeyes and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis are surging ahead in his recruitment, while the previously reported favorite Texas is lagging behind.
Pettijohn, who will announce his commitment at a party with his family and friends, has risen up the rankings after a strong junior season with McKinney, finishing the year with 125 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, four quarterback hurries, and one field goal block.
Pettijohn has also excelled in high school in track, running a 10.77 100-meter dash last year.
“Athletic volume tackler who can fit multiple off-ball linebacker roles in varying schemes,” 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks wrote in his scouting report for Pettijohn, “Well-developed build with a stout, athletic base. Early on, looked like a candidate to ultimately play off the edge, but now clearly belongs as a traditional linebacker who exhibits broad pursuit range with excellent verified athleticism to bolster his long-term projection. Ran a wind-legal 10.77 100 and wind-aided 10.98 as a junior, while also high jumping 5-10. Multiple examples of explosive vertical and broad jump metrics in combine settings.”
If Pettijohn does commit to Ohio State on Saturday, he would be the fourth five-star pledge in the program’s top-rated 2025 recruiting class. He would also be the third linebacker pledge in Laurinaitis’ linebacker class, joining Vero Beach, Fla., four-star Tarvos Alford (6-2, 210) and Akron Hoban four-star Eli Lee (6-3, 230).
