The Ohio State Buckeyes have definitely undergone some major changes on both sides of the ball this offseason, but perhaps their biggest change has been defensively.

Ohio State has lost a plethora of players to the NFL Draft, particularly along its defensive front, which spearheaded the nation’s No. 1-ranked defense in 2024.

Fortunately, the Buckeyes have a great group of young players ready to hit the field in 2025, and that includes four-star freshman linebacker Riley Pettijohn.

Pettijohn was the No. 2-ranked linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class, so big things are expected of him next season, and he knows it.

In preparation for his debut campaign in Columbus, Pettijohn has already gained 12 pounds, going from 215 to 227 pounds over the last few months.

As a result, Pettijohn is becoming a more versatile threat along Ohio State’s front seven.

“I think I can do a little bit of everything,” Pettijohn told reporters. “I can cover, I can rush the passer, I can play the run, too. I think those are all my strengths. But I think my speed plays a factor.”

Pettijohn probably won’t be a starter right off the bat, as Arvell Reese is projected to begin the season at middle linebacker. But Pettijohn may see some snaps, and he is excited for the opportunity.

“It’s a responsibility, getting everybody lined up, getting the call,” Pettijohn said. “Knowing my assignment, I did it in high school, but it’s just upscaled a little more, so it’s going to take some getting used to. But I know I’m ready.”

We’ll see if the McKinney, Tx. native can make an impact in Year 1.

MORE: Ohio State Buckeyes QB Will Howard Throws Shade at Michigan Fans

MORE: Ohio State Defender Puts Everyone on Notice With Bold Claim

MORE: Disgraced Former Michigan Staffer Fires Big Accusation Against Ohio State

MORE: Ohio State LB Received Major Praise From Coach James Laurinaitis

MORE: Ohio State Buckeyes Suffer Brutal Transfer Portal News

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On Ohio State basketball

To the editor: I have such an empty feeling. It feels like I lost someone. The best few weeks in sports. I sit on the sidelines left out of the dance. I watched Michigan yesterday, a team that won only eight games last year. Their bigs dominated. What a turnaround. BIG BUCKS bring BIG BUCKS, I hope.

Marty Osmond

To the editor: SHAME ON YOU! What a terrible title for the hard playing, very successful OSU women’s basketball team. They played their hearts out but did not win the Tennessee game. But they did amass a tremendous record of 26-7 against many great teams. With that record they were given a No. 4 seed in their bracket. And they won their first game. Give them credit. Find a better title that doesn’t suggest they were losers.

Maybe … Came up a little short … OSU women put together a great season.

Next time do a little more thinking about how readers will react to the title of an article.

Pete Kienle, Powell

To Pete: I thought the headlines on Mike Arace’s column were fair for a team that was upset at home for the second year in a row. In print, it was “Diminishing returns: OSU runs out of gas, again falls in second round in tournament.” On Dispatch.com, the headline was “Buckeyes can’t find their way from Columbus to Sweet 16.” It was a fine season by the Buckeyes, but a disappointing ending.

On Michigan

To Brian: What do Voldemort, MacBeth and Michigan have in common?

Harry Potter’s nemesis was Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard so powerful and frightening that it was dangerous to even say the name out loud. Instead, everyone referred to him as “He Who Must Not Be Named.”

In the theatre world, “Macbeth” is considered a play so powerful and strange that it is thought to be unlucky to say the name out loud and is therefore called only “The Scottish Play.”

Here in Buckeye Nation, and especially, I imagine, even more so within in the football program, Michigan is referred to as “That Team Up North (TTUN).” Is this because Michigan is a team so powerful and frightful that it is unlucky or dangerous to say the name out loud? Maybe not intentionally.

This irrational fear to name something actually has a formal name: The Voldemort Effect. (Google it!) Well, Harry’s triumph over Voldemort began with saying the name out loud, and we know that “Macbeth” is regularly performed successfully on stages worldwide, with most characters speaking the name “Macbeth” out loud. So, what about Ohio State and Michigan?

Perhaps this irrational reluctance to say the name has become a psychological stumbling block leading to unlikely losses by OSU teams that were more talented than Michigan. It certainly seems like something negative is playing with their heads.

As spring training gears up, I have a suggestion for coach Day: Get it out of your head – SAY THE NAME!

Harry Campbell, Columbus

Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win

On politics in sports letters to the editor

Hi Brian: You state politics should not be in the sports section, but the sports section of The Columbus Dispatch publishes columns by Nancy Armour that contain criticisms of the president of the United States. Is criticizing our president not political? 

Bob Jacobs

To Bob: Actually, I never said politics should not be in the sports section. I said, and I quote myself in last week’s Mailbox, “All sports discussions are best without any political accusations, leaning or segmentation.” Also, in my personal life, I get up and walk away from any sports discussion that delves into politics. In fact, I get up and walk away from any discussion of any sort that delves into politics. It didn’t used to be that way, but now it’s a key to a happier life.

More from the Mailbox

Was Ohio State right to skip the men’s basketball postseason?

Why can’t Ohio State basketball reach football’s elite status?

What’s wrong with Ohio State football players promoting religious beliefs?

Did Ohio State football players’ religious actions become ‘tiresome’?

Ohio State football’s Ryan Day might be more like Woody Hayes than you think

 Is Knowles just a ‘gunslinger’, or is there more to his departure?

Is rude fan treatment of Ohio State football coach Ryan Day, family part of job?

Dispatch’s Ohio State football ‘best plays’ bracket guilty of recency bias

Rob Oller needs to have more appreciation for Ohio State football QB Will Howard

As some traditional powers falter, Ohio State football rolls on

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.

During Jeff Hafley’s first season as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, the pass rush did disappearing acts in big games far too often.

The Packers dismissed defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who spent this past season as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

A player who appeared at his best on the big stage was Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau—the Buckeye defensive end checks in at No. 31 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

Tuimoloau played a vital role in Ohio State’s run to a National Championship. During the final six games, he recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 23 pressures and 18 run stops.

“He was a key part to the nation’s No. 1 defense last season,” Stefan Krajisnik, an Ohio State reporter for Cleveland.com, said. ‘Playing with Jack Sawyer opposite him on the defensive line, Tuimoloau made life miserable for opposing tackles and quarterbacks. His talent has been evident for a while, highlighted by a 2022 game at Penn State in which he collected two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two interceptions. In 2024, though, you saw how good he could be when talent was paired with consistency.”

Standing at 6-4, 265 pounds, with long arms, Tuimoloau looks like he was sent from central casting. He’s a ready-made run defender. With his long arms, he’s able to lock out and keep himself detached. The Ohio State Edge rusher has powerful hands to deconstruct blocks. He’s strong at the point of attack and sets a firm edge. With his power, he’s able to forklift blockers out of the way to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He finished this past season with 22 tackles for loss and 39 run stops.

“He has good patience,” Krajisnik said. “There aren’t many edge rushers in this draft with more experience than Tuimoloau. That’s apparent in the run game.”

Tuimoloau’s pass rush plan is predicated on power and then more power. He keeps his feet moving at contact and uses a long-arm move to collapse the integrity of the pocket. He has a devastating bull rush and a powerful cross-chop. He’s not somebody that’s going to win with his first-step quickness or athleticism. He’s very detailed in his approach. His backup plan has a backup plan. Over the past three seasons, he recorded 21 sacks and 120 pressures.

Fit with the Packers

Brian Gutekunst made it crystal clear during the NFL Scouting Combine that they need the defensive line to create more chaos if they are going to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

“We need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players,” Gutekunst said. “I’m excited about the guys we have in the room, we’ll see if we add to it, but that’s gotta get better if we’re going to accomplish our goals we want to accomplish in this season.”

Tuimoloua has a knack for getting after the quarterback and his strong finish during his final season with the Buckeyes is proof that he may not have the quickest first-step or the most explosive, but he has a veteran-like pass rush plan that’s predicated on power and violence. On top of what he brings as a pass rusher, Tuimoloau is a pro-ready run defender.

“Tuimoloau is a former five-star prospect who consistently displayed talent late in his career, and there still feels like there’s untapped potential,” Krajisnik said. “Like many of Ohio State’s 2025 prospects, experience can’t be taught. He’s seen so many different offenses and so many different players.”

Tuimoloau is a well-rounded defensive end. If he’s still on the board when the Packers are on the clock with the 54th overall pick, it would not be shocking to see the Buckeye defender teaming with a former Wolverine and Hawkeye at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.