The linebacker room in Columbus is about to step into the spotlight-and not by choice. As Ohio State gears up for the 2026 season, no position group carries more weight-or more questions-than the linebackers. Two of the Buckeyes' biggest defensive departures come from this unit, and replacing that kind of production and leadership won’t be easy.
Let’s start with what they’re losing. Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese weren’t just productive-they were foundational.
Styles, in particular, was the kind of player you build a defense around. A physical freak with the instincts to match, he was always in the right place, always making the right read, and maybe most impressively, always available.
He didn’t miss a single game, and his presence was felt on every snap. He wasn’t just a linebacker; he was a tone-setter for the entire team.
Then there’s Arvell Reese, who might’ve had the most meteoric rise in college football last year. He came into 2025 as a relative unknown and left as a top-10 NFL Draft pick.
His pass-rushing ability exploded onto the scene, and by midseason, he was wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. Reese turned himself into a household name-and a millionaire in the process.
Together, Styles and Reese made up what was arguably the best linebacker duo in the country. Now, Ohio State has to figure out how to replace that production, that leadership, and that edge.
The good news? We’ve already seen glimpses of who’s next in line.
Riley Pettijohn is the name drawing the most attention. A five-star recruit with all the tools, Pettijohn is expected to take over the middle of the defense.
His freshman year was quiet on the stat sheet-just nine tackles in five appearances-but there were flashes. He showed up in a big way against Penn State with two tackles in limited snaps, and he had a solid showing against Ohio.
The raw ability is there. Now it’s about putting it all together over a full season.
Lining up next to him will likely be Payton Pierce, who brings a bit more seasoning to the table. Entering his redshirt junior year, Pierce played in every game last season and tallied 44 total tackles.
He split time between special teams and defensive reps, but that experience matters. He’s not just a body-they’re counting on him to be a steadying force in a room that’s undergoing major change.
Then there’s Christian Alliegro, the transfer from Wisconsin. He brings starting experience and adds a veteran presence to a group that needs it.
Alliegro’s numbers dipped last season-49 tackles and four sacks-but the Buckeyes aren’t necessarily asking him to be a star. They’re asking him to be solid, dependable, and bring leadership to a young core.
For the past two seasons, Ohio State’s linebackers have quietly been one of the most consistent units on the roster. They didn’t always get the headlines-that attention often went to the stars on the defensive line or in the secondary-but they were the engine of the defense. Now, with Styles and Reese off to the NFL, that engine needs a rebuild.
There’s no shortage of talent. Pettijohn has the ceiling of a future All-American.
Pierce knows the system and has shown he can handle the workload. Alliegro brings the kind of experience that can help stabilize things early.
But potential doesn’t win games. Production does.
The Buckeyes are betting big on this group stepping up. If they do, this defense has a chance to stay among the nation's elite.
If they don’t, it could be a long year in the middle of the field. One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on the linebackers when Ohio State takes the field in 2026.