2025 LB Riley Pettijohn talks relationship with Brian Odom

In the game I I took in last night, I was able to see USC commit Bryan Jackson but I was also able to watch his teammate, also a USC target, 2025 linebacker Riley Pettijohn.

Pettijohn is the No. 68 overall prospect and No. 8 linebacker in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also ranked as the No. 9 player in Texas.

USC has been one of the early standouts in Pettijohn’s recruitment primarily due to the efforts of linebackers coach Brian Odom. The two connected early on and Odom was also able to see Pettijohn in action during spring ball, which is when he earned his offer from USC.

I talked with Pettijohn following the game Thursday night about where that relationship stands and his thoughts on the Trojans. Their level of communication was able to pick up on August 1.

“He’s just been texting me and hitting me up checking up on me. I do the same and will call him sometimes. We just have a good relationship.”

The pitch from Odom has been a fairly straightforward one to this point. And watching Pettijohn yesterday, I would say it’s the correct approach.

“He just says I can play anywhere on the field. I can stand up at linebacker, come off the edge, really be anywhere in the box. Basically just the ability to be versatile in their defense.”

Pettijohn is one of the key pieces of a very stout defense, so his focus will be on trying to take his McKinney squad to a state championship. In the midst of that though, Pettijohn may make his way to Los Angeles.

“I just want to keep building on my relationship with Odom and the rest of the staff there. And I’ll maybe be going there for a visit whenever Bryan [Jackson] goes out there.”

Pettijohn has been fairly active in his recruitment. He has taken visits to USC, SMU, Texas, Florida State, Michigan, and Florida. As his ranking and visits would suggest, he is in the thick of a national recruitment. USC may be the unofficial leader to land his commitment due to his relationship with Brian Odom, but this recruitment is going to be a busy one. If he does get back to Los Angeles this fall for a visit, I would say USC’s chances are very high to land him.

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