As Ohio State turns the page toward the 2026 season, one name you’re going to hear a lot more of is Payton Pierce. The rising junior linebacker is coming off a sophomore campaign that saw him step into meaningful reps-and now, with veterans like Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese heading to the NFL, Pierce is poised to take on a much bigger role in the heart of the Buckeye defense.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about filling a roster spot. Pierce has his eyes on the green dot-that coveted middle linebacker role that comes with the responsibility of calling the defense and anchoring the unit. And based on what we saw this past season, he’s not just hoping for it-he’s preparing for it.
From Third Linebacker to Centerpiece
Pierce, listed at 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, was Ohio State’s third linebacker for much of the 2025 season. He played in all 14 games, starting three of them when the Buckeyes opened in a three-linebacker set. By the end of the Big Ten Championship Game, he’d logged 252 defensive snaps-good for 36% of the team’s total defensive plays.
That kind of exposure matters. It’s not just about the reps, but the situations he was thrown into. And he made the most of them-finishing eighth on the team in tackles with 44, while also registering an interception and a forced fumble that he recovered himself during the Cotton Bowl against Miami (Fla.).
That moment in the Cotton Bowl? A strip and recovery on Miami’s Mark Fletcher Jr.?
Pierce called it “pretty cool,” and you could hear the excitement in his voice when he talked about looking up into the stands and seeing his friends celebrating. It was a flash of what he’s capable of-and a reminder that he’s not just a depth piece anymore.
Learning from the Best
Pierce came up behind two of the best to do it in Columbus in recent years. Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese weren’t just All-Big Ten talents-they were tone-setters.
Leaders. And for a young linebacker like Pierce, they were walking blueprints for how to carry yourself on and off the field.
“They meant everything,” Pierce said. “They showed me the way-how to carry myself every single day.
They never took a snap off, not in practice, not in walkthroughs, not in meetings. That’s why they had the success they did.
It wasn’t just talent-it was how much they cared.”
That’s the kind of culture Ohio State is trying to sustain. And Pierce seems ready to be one of the players who keeps that standard alive.
A New-Look Linebacker Room
With Styles and Reese gone, Pierce won’t be alone in stepping up. He’ll be joined by a young and hungry group that includes rising sophomores TJ Alford, Riley Pettijohn, and Garrett Stover, along with redshirt freshman Eli Lee. The Buckeyes also added Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro, who brings two years of starting experience and will be a senior in 2026.
There’s also an infusion of new talent, with incoming freshmen Cincere Johnson and CJ Sanna joining the fold. But make no mistake-this is shaping up to be Pierce’s room.
“I feel like now this is kind of my opportunity,” he said. “I’ve learned from the best-Tommy [Eichenberg], Cody [Simon], Sonny.
There’s an obligation now for me. I’m ready to take on that room.”
What Comes Next
Pierce isn’t shy about what he wants. He’s aiming to be the green dot linebacker-the quarterback of the defense. And he’s not just saying it; he’s already lived a version of it.
“I got a lot of experience this year,” he said. “I saw how it was done with Sonny. I got in as the third linebacker, and when one of them went down, I was able to go in there and do my job.”
That willingness to do whatever the team needs-whether it’s stepping in for a starter or leading the huddle-is exactly what you want from the guy in the middle.
And he knows there’s work to do. Pierce talked about getting stronger, adding weight, and continuing to learn the defense.
“A little bit of everything,” he said. “A lot of that comes with experience.
But I think just getting a little bigger and stronger will definitely help me.”
Faith, Gratitude, and Focus
Throughout his interviews, one thing that stood out was Pierce’s grounded mindset. He consistently pointed to his faith and the people around him-his family, teammates, and coaches-as the foundation for his growth.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I just give the glory to [God].
The Lord is going to have a great plan for me. I’m just following Him, taking it one day at a time.”
That perspective is part of what makes him a natural leader. He’s not just focused on his own path-he’s thinking about how he can help elevate the guys around him.
Looking Back, Then Forward
The Cotton Bowl didn’t end the way Ohio State hoped. Miami’s final drive stung, and Pierce acknowledged that the defense could’ve done more.
“It was just unfortunate,” he said. “We were out of timeouts.
I know everyone on that field gave it their all.”
Still, there’s no dwelling on the past. If anything, the loss has sharpened the edge for what’s to come.
“I feel like the guys we’ve got coming back are going to be hungry,” Pierce said. “Our coaches do a great job of keeping us focused and moving on to the next thing.”
And that next thing? It’s a wide-open opportunity for Pierce to become the next great linebacker in a program that’s produced plenty of them.
With the experience he’s gained, the leadership he’s ready to embrace, and the mindset he brings to the field, Payton Pierce isn’t just stepping into a bigger role-he’s stepping into the spotlight.