Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State's top-ranked 2025 recruiting class continues to grow. Blue-chip prospect Riley Pettijohn from McKinney, Texas, committed Saturday to the Buckeyes. According to the 247Sports composite, he's a five-star recruit, the No. 4 overall linebacker and No. 31 player in the class. Former NFL linebacker James Laurinaitis, the position coach at his alma mater, was key to the recruitment, Pettijohn said on the 247Sports YouTube channel. "My relationship with coach Laurinaitis is top tier," Pettijohn said. "With coach Laurinaitis, being an alumni from Ohio State and a Butkus winner, it's just cool him being a position coach. He knows a lot about the game. So that's cool he can develop players good." Pettijohn took recent official visits to Columbus, as well as Southern California, Texas and Texas A&M. He said he was happy to have his decision made. "It means a lot to me and my family to know where I'm going." Per 247Sports, Ohio State is ahead of Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia and Oregon in the recruiting standings. --Field Level Media