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Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis helped the No. 6 Buckeyes (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten Conference) bring in three outstanding players at the position for their 2025 recruiting class. Riley Pettijohn, Tarvos "TJ" Alford and Eli Lee all signed with Ohio State in the early signing period.
Laurinaitis is not the only former Buckeye to make the move to coaching for Ohio State after an NFL career. Wide receivers coach Brian Hartline joined the Ohio State staff in 2017, not long after finishing his seven NFL seasons. Since then, he has perhaps been the country's best recruiter at his spot. In his first year as the full-time position coach for the team, Laurinaitis ascended in performance as a coach and recruiter.
Here are the three elite LB prospects in the Ohio State 2025 recruiting class:
Riley Pettijohn
Pettijohn is the highest-rated recruit of the trio, rated by Rivals as a five-star defender, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound standout from McKinney, Texas, is perhaps the most likely of the three to play and even compete for a starting spot as a freshman. That will depend somewhat on current LB Sonny Styles' decision to stay or leave for the NFL. Regardless of that call, Pettijohn will likely push to play significant snaps in 2025.
Perhaps the best traits he currently possesses are his patience and explosiveness. He does a fantastic job of moving with the play and not overcommitting too early or allowing himself to be caught out of position. Once he engages, he gets downhill rapidly and drives through the ball carrier. He does a solid job of wrapping up and making tackles the textbook way. His ability to do the little things well at a high level combined with his athletic prowess could help him make a very early impact at Ohio State.
Tarvos Alford
Alford is a Vero Beach, Florida four-star prospect who Laurinaitis was able to steal from the various local powerhouses of the state. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender has an explosiveness similar to Pettijohn's. He moves sideline-to-sideline deftly, with lateral movement among the best in the class. Alford also exhibits patience and impressive eye discipline. He does not get moved out of place easily with play-action or misdirection plays. He excels in covering passing lanes while staying ready to fill his run-fits. Alford is also great in short-yardage defense, plugging gaps and holding his ground. His versatility will be utilized to its full potential under Laurinaitis and in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' scheme.
Eli Lee
Rated by Rivals as a four-star prospect, Lee is exactly the type of middle LB the Buckeyes love to have on the roster. Inside LB Gabe Powers entered the Transfer Portal last week and senior Cody Simon will be gone after this year. Thus, Lee's addition adds needed depth in the middle position next season. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he already has the size to play the spot, and the Akron, Ohio native has shown all the intangibles needed to play it well. He has good visions and finds himself in the backfield often. His knack for reading plays before and as they happen allows him to explode through gaps before blockers reach him. He will only need to take some time to develop and grow accustomed to the speed of the next level before he gets the opportunity to make the impact the Buckeyes' staff believes he can have.
Recruits Want to Play for Laurinaitis at Ohio State
One consistency with all three LB recruits in their decision to join the Buckeyes is admiration of Laurinaitis. They said they developed great relationships with him and are excited to work with the former Ohio State and NFL star.
Coach Laurinaitis has shown a desire to give everything he can to help his players on and off the field. He reaped benefits from similarly devoted coaches in his career and is no paying it forward. His dedication to his players in his young coaching career is already paying off. Ohio State can expect him to continue brining in top recruits and developing them at a high level. The 2025 class is certainly a tremendous start.
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