Bold statement: Ohio State’s next great linebacker is already on the roster, and the hype around him is about to become reality. But here’s where it gets controversial: the Buckeyes are in a race to replace two All-American linebackers who just dominated the NFL spotlight, and the pressure to find seamless successors is real, not theoretical.
Ohio State’s rising stars shined brightly at the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, with Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles turning heads in multiple drills. Their performances kept the conversation buzzing far beyond Lucas Oil Stadium, stretching into late-night chatter at High Velocity and Prime 47, where NFL insiders weighed in and debated just how many Buckeyes might hear their names called in the top 10 of the 2026 draft. All signs point to two linebackers from Ohio State going high, a prospect that excites Buckeye fans and elevates recruiting chatter in equal measure.
The challenge for head coach Ryan Day and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis is clear: replace an elite duo. Fortunately, the answer is already on campus in the form of a rising junior from Texas who has supporters predicting a breakout year.
Payton Pierce is the name to watch. Arvell Reese called him “an animal,” underscoring Pierce’s switch from promising freshman to a potential cornerstone. Pierce, who hails from Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, arrived with a leg up in instinct and physicality. That background in a competitive Texas program helped him transition quickly, and Styles notes Pierce’s early comfort and growing command of the defense. Pierce’s rapid development has already yielded standout moments, including an interception at Illinois and a forced fumble recovered in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Miami.
Pierce’s path is not the only one worth watching. Ohio State has multiple options to pair with him in 2026:
- Riley Pettijohn, a former four-star prospect and Texas native, who logged 77 snaps as a freshman. Styles praises him as an exceptionally athletic player with rushing ability, bend, and strong natural coverage instincts.
- T.J. Alford, another four-star addition from last year, who could seize a spring run and seize the open starting role.
- Christian Alliegro, the transfer from Wisconsin, who adds depth and experience from the portal—an uncommon move for Laurinaitis and the Buckeyes, but a strategic one that could pay dividends.
This quartet must shoulder the task of replacing a legendary duo, a challenge Laurinaitis has encountered before. In 2006, he stepped in as a starter to fill the void after A.J. Hawk and Anthony Schlegel departed, a reminder that Ohio State has a history of turning next-man-up into next great player.
Behind the scenes, the program’s success isn’t measured only by NFL drafts. It’s defined by the sustained ability to identify, develop, and deploy talent who can uphold Ohio State’s tradition of excellence at linebacker. Laurinaitis has watched the evolution—from the earlier days of mentoring and development to a current pipeline that routinely produces first-round NFL prospects—mirroring the broader blueprint established by Brian Hartline’s run of receivers into the league.
The question that will spark debate in the coming months: which of the newcomers or the returning depth will emerge as the true successor to Ohio State’s storied linebacker legacy? Share your view: which player do you believe will be the most impactful starter this season, and why? Would you favor a steady, veteran-informed rotation, or a bold push for a single breakout star at the forefront of the defense?
