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Ohio State’s defense has spent much of the offseason searching for answers at linebacker, but as winter turns toward spring, clarity is beginning to emerge. Rather than one clear-cut star, the Buckeyes appear poised to deploy a three-man rotation built on complementary skill sets, versatility, and upside.
Junior Payton Pierce, sophomore Riley Pettijohn, and Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro form what could become one of the most intriguing linebacker combinations in the Big Ten. Each brings a distinct play style to James Laurinaitis’s room, and each appears destined for a meaningful role in Ohio State’s 2026 defense.
Together, they offer a blend of prototype, projection, and proven production.
Payton Pierce: The foundation in the middle
Among the trio, Payton Pierce is the most traditional linebacker and the closest thing Ohio State has to a true middle anchor. At his best, Pierce plays downhill, diagnoses quickly, and cleans up plays between the tackles, traits that made him a trusted rotational option last season.
As Ohio State’s third linebacker rotating behind Sonny Styles and Arvelle Reese, Pierce finished the year with 43 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a forced and recovered fumble. Those numbers reflect both opportunity and reliability. When Pierce was on the field, the defense stayed sound.
Looking ahead, his role is expected to expand. With increased snaps, Pierce is positioned to step into a role similar to the one Styles occupied last season, an off-ball linebacker tasked with impacting both the run and pass game while covering ground sideline to sideline. Pierce may not be the flashiest athlete in the room, but his instincts and consistency give Ohio State a stabilizing presence in the middle of the defense.
Riley Pettijohn: Ceiling, versatility, and possibility
If Pierce represents stability, Riley Pettijohn represents possibility. The sophomore linebacker appeared in only a handful of games last season, but when he saw the field, his impact was immediate. Pettijohn recorded nine tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced and recovered fumble, and a pass deflection, flashing the kind of athleticism that jumps off the screen even in limited reps.
What makes Pettijohn especially intriguing is that his ultimate position is still undefined. He has the frame and movement skills to thrive as an off-ball linebacker, but his burst and physicality open the door to more creative usage. Ohio State could deploy him in a role similar to Arvelle Reese’s from last season, where responsibilities shifted based on down and distance, moving from traditional linebacker on early downs to a stand-up pass rusher in pressure situations.
That flexibility makes Pettijohn difficult to keep off the field. His range of outcomes is wide, but so is his ceiling. Within Laurinaitis’s system, Pettijohn has the potential to become a true Swiss-army-knife defender, capable of impacting games in multiple phases.
Christian Alliegro: Experience and immediate impact
While Pierce offers reliability and Pettijohn brings upside, Christian Alliegro arrives with experience. The Wisconsin transfer is the most proven linebacker of the group, having accumulated 124 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and eight sacks across three seasons in the Big Ten. Last season alone, Alliegro produced four sacks and eight tackles for loss in just ten games, underscoring his effectiveness as both a run defender and pass rusher.
Wisconsin used Alliegro in a variety of roles, often staggering him between off-ball linebacker and on-the-ball pressure looks. That versatility aligns well with what Ohio State has valued in recent seasons, and it is no coincidence that Alliegro’s skill set mirrors elements of Arvelle Reese’s former role.
Ohio State pursued Alliegro with intent in the transfer portal, and that alone signals expectations. Whether he becomes an every-down linebacker or occupies a more specialized role, Alliegro’s experience and production make him an important piece of the puzzle for a defense seeking reliability and disruption.
A room defined by options, not answers
Spring practice and fall camp will determine how this trio ultimately fits together. The pecking order is not set, and roles remain fluid. But that uncertainty is not a weakness. Instead, it reflects depth, adaptability, and opportunity.
Pierce offers a steady foundation. Pettijohn provides upside and versatility. Alliegro brings experience and proven Big Ten production. No matter how the rotation shakes out, Ohio State enters the 2026 season with three linebackers capable of contributing in meaningful ways. For a defense that has emphasized flexibility and matchup-based deployment, that three-headed snake may be exactly what it needs.
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