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Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) motions during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Texas.
Last year Ohio State had an embarrassment of riches at linebacker.
Starters Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles went on to be drafted in the top-10 in the 2026 NFL Draft. The presence of Reese and Styles left sophomore Payton Pierce to rotate in as the third linebacker at times. All Pierce did in just under 300 snaps on defense was register 43 tackles, an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
With Reese and Styles now in the NFL, now it’s time for Pierce to take the reins at linebacker for Ohio State.
Growing up in Texas, Pierce became one of the most sought-after linebacker recruits in the country coming out of high school. As a senior, Pierce recorded 181 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, and eight sacks, as he was named a finalist for the High School Butkus Award.
Pierce was on current Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis’ radar early. Laurinaitis noticed the tough and instinctual play by Pierce, beginning his recruitment of Pierce when Laurinaitis was a graduate assistant at Notre Dame.
When Laurinaitis came back home to Ohio State after a year in South Bend, it seemed only natural that Pierce would eventually become a Buckeye. Laurinaitis saw a lot of how he played in how Pierce attacked the game. Even though Pierce suffered an ankle injury early on that kept him out of action during spring ball, it only made the young linebacker hungrier for success.
Pierce saw his teammates on the field during those spring practices and visualized greatness for himself.
Following seeing limited action as a freshman where he recorded just four tackles, Pierce started to see his role expand last season. Pierce started his first collegiate game when Ohio State hosted Minnesota, recording a career-high seven tackles.
The next game against Illinois, Pierce grabbed his first career interception. Then in the loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff, Pierce did everything he could to keep the Buckeyes in the game, registering a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Throughout the season it became even more obvious that Ohio State would be in good hands at linebacker after Reese and Styles left for the NFL.
2026 is Pierce’s time to breakout. Not only will Pierce take over as Ohio State’s Mike linebacker, he was recently named Preseason First Team All-Big Ten. While Pierce will see added responsibility since he’ll be green dot on defense, meaning he’ll have to relay important calls and information to the rest of the defense, Laurinaitis is confident that Pierce will be up to the task.
Pierce has displayed natural leadership skills in high school and in his first two years at Ohio State, which makes him an obvious fit to be the quarterback of the defense.
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Even though Pierce might not have the size or athleticism that Reese or Styles possessed, there’s no reason to think Pierce won’t be successful as starter at linebacker for the Buckeyes. Laurinaitis sees a lot of himself in Pierce, which says a lot since Laurinaitis was one of the best linebackers in Ohio State history.
Along with the confidence Laurinaitis has in Pierce, expect defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to lean on Pierce a lot this year, especially early in the season since Ohio State will have a bunch of new starters on defense.
If anyone has any doubts about Pierce’s ability to produce in big moments, they just have to look at what he did early in the Miami game, when he forced and recovered a fumble early in the game with the Hurricanes driving.
If the Buckeyes are going to be in contention for the Big Ten title and a deep run in the College Football Playoff, expect to see Pierce in the conversation as one of the top linebackers in the country this year.
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