Major SEC Program Trending For Nation's No. 2 Linebacker

On3's Steve Wiltfong predicted that four-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn would be heading to Austin to play for Steve Sarkisian and Texas.

Pettijohn is the No. 39 overall prospect and No. 2 linebacker in the class of 2025. He ranks as the No. 1 linebacker and No. 9 player in Texas, according to the On3 industry rankings .

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker is from McKinney, Texas, and attends McKinney High School.

The Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) strongly favors the Longhorns to land the elite in-state prospect. He holds offers from USC, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Florida State, Florida, and multiple other major programs.

Texas' 2025 recruiting class ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC. Pettijohn could join four-star linebacker Elijah Barnes as linebacker commits in the 2025 class for the Longhorns.

Texas recently lost former Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire to the transfer portal. Blackshire had only been with the program since January. S'Maje Burrell also hit the portal from the linebacker position.

Sarkisian will need to replenish his linebacker corps after losing top tackler Jaylan Ford to the NFL Draft. Ford was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in April. However, there is still talent at linebacker as Anthony Hill Jr. is returning for another season in Austin. Hill finished second on the team with 67 total tackles last season.

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