James Laurinaitis, one of the most respected linebackers in Ohio State history and now an assistant coach for the Buckeyes, has never been one to hand out unearned praise. So when he recently made it clear that he views Payton Pierce as a potential starter for Ohio State, those within the program and even those casually observing the Buckeyes took notice. Pierce, a true freshman out of Lucas, Texas, is making waves during fall camp not just because of his physical tools, but because of a combination of instincts, maturity, and work ethic that is rarely seen in players his age. Laurinaitis’ confidence in Pierce carries weight, and it’s a powerful statement about how much the young linebacker has done to earn the respect of one of the game’s most knowledgeable minds.
From the moment Payton Pierce arrived on campus, he didn’t carry himself like a freshman. In a linebacker room that is already deep with returning experience and highly touted prospects, Pierce has stood out—not by being flashy or brash, but by showing up early, learning the playbook like a veteran, and hitting the practice field with a sense of urgency. Laurinaitis has emphasized time and again that mental preparation and football IQ separate the good from the great, and it’s precisely in those areas where Pierce has earned his stripes. The former Lovejoy High School star was well-regarded as a high 4-star recruit, known for his sideline-to-sideline speed and strong tackling form, but it’s his adaptability and relentless desire to improve that are making the difference.
Ohio State’s linebacker corps in 2025 is not short on talent. Returning veterans like Cody Simon and CJ Hicks provide both leadership and versatility, and the Buckeyes have multiple blue-chip talents waiting their turn. That’s what makes Laurinaitis’ comments about Pierce so striking. To suggest that a freshman could start over, or even alongside, experienced veterans in Jim Knowles’ complex defensive system is a sign that Pierce is doing more than just meeting expectations—he’s exceeding them in every conceivable way. Laurinaitis doesn’t simply look at production in practice. He studies how players communicate with teammates, how they respond to mistakes, how well they understand coverage schemes and gap responsibilities. On every front, Pierce has impressed.
Laurinaitis, who took over full linebackers coaching duties in 2024 after spending the prior year as a graduate assistant, has made it clear that Ohio State’s defense is returning to a standard that demands both physical dominance and mental discipline. Under his mentorship, the linebackers are expected to be the smartest and most prepared unit on the field. Pierce has absorbed this challenge like a sponge. He’s been praised not just for memorizing play calls, but for recognizing offensive tendencies during scrimmages and making real-time adjustments—something that’s rare even among upperclassmen. His leadership qualities are already starting to emerge in meetings and workouts, and coaches have noted how often other young players gravitate toward him for guidance. That type of magnetism, paired with athletic talent, is the formula for early playing time.
The path to a starting role isn’t simple, especially not in a program like Ohio State, where nothing is given and competition is constant. However, Laurinaitis has been transparent in saying that the linebacker room will not operate on seniority but on performance. That philosophy has opened the door for someone like Pierce, who is clearly treating every rep in camp like it’s his last. Laurinaitis has repeatedly pointed out that Pierce plays with the kind of urgency and accountability that makes the entire defense sharper. In walkthroughs, he asks the right questions. In drills, he never takes a play off. In film sessions, he absorbs critique with humility and applies it immediately. These are traits that coaches look for when determining who’s going to earn those coveted first-team reps when the season begins.
What’s even more compelling is how much his teammates have bought into his presence. While some freshman phenoms can create quiet resentment or an uncomfortable sense of pressure within a position group, Pierce has instead found himself embraced. CJ Hicks, who is expected to be one of the breakout stars on the defense this year, has praised Pierce’s “professionalism and passion” and mentioned that having someone that dialed in actually makes him better. The competition between them is respectful but intense—exactly the kind of environment Laurinaitis wanted to build. When the older players see a younger one working relentlessly, it lifts the entire group, and that’s exactly what Payton Pierce has done. His presence is now a catalyst.
For the Ohio State defense in 2025, which is expected to be among the nation’s elite under Jim Knowles, linebacker play will be a defining factor. While the defensive line boasts several future NFL picks and the secondary is filled with top-tier talent, it’s the linebackers who have the dual responsibility of anchoring the run game and covering tight ends and running backs in space. That hybrid expectation has tripped up even great athletes before, but Pierce is one of the few young players who seem to thrive in that ambiguity. Laurinaitis has made specific mention of Pierce’s ability to diagnose misdirection plays and his quick lateral movement when dropping into zone coverage. These are not easy things for a linebacker to do at full speed, and certainly not something a freshman should master in his first few months on campus.
The physical side of the game isn’t a concern either. Pierce arrived at Ohio State with a college-ready frame, already standing over six feet tall and weighing close to 230 pounds. But what’s more impressive is his functional strength. He’s not just built to look the part; he uses leverage, balance, and hand placement like someone who’s been through three years of college strength and conditioning. The coaching staff has said that in full-contact drills, he hits with power but also control—never reckless, always precise. That kind of discipline is another marker of his readiness to play early. Ohio State has had many physically gifted linebackers in the past who had to wait their turn because the mental side wasn’t there yet. With Pierce, both aspects appear ahead of schedule.
James Laurinaitis, a three-time All-American during his own days in Columbus, knows what it takes to play linebacker at the highest level. When he sees a player like Pierce, it’s not just about potential—it’s about preparedness. Laurinaitis has seen many high school standouts crumble under the pressure of the Ohio State spotlight, or get overwhelmed by the mental load of Knowles’ scheme. Pierce is the exception. The fact that Laurinaitis has mentioned his name unprompted in interviews is a clear sign that the coaching staff is planning for him to contribute in real ways this fall. Whether that means starting from day one or rotating heavily into key packages, Pierce is not being treated like a developmental project. He’s being treated like a game-ready asset.
As the season approaches and the Buckeyes prepare for a challenging schedule that includes marquee matchups both in-conference and nationally, every decision about the starting lineup will be scrutinized. But the sense from inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center is that Pierce has already earned more than just a look. He’s earned trust. That’s something Laurinaitis does not give lightly. His reputation as a coach is on the rise, and he knows that aligning his credibility with a young player only works if that player continues to perform. By backing Pierce so early and so clearly, Laurinaitis is signaling to the rest of the country that Payton Pierce is not just another freshman. He’s a foundational piece.
It’s also worth noting that this development speaks to a broader evolution in Ohio State’s recruiting and development strategy. The Buckeyes have always recruited at an elite level, but the emergence of someone like Pierce so quickly speaks to how well the program is identifying not just talent, but temperament. They’re targeting players who want to be great, not just those who expect to be handed success. That’s why someone like Laurinaitis, who played in the NFL and has seen every type of personality walk through locker room doors, is excited. He knows that championship teams are built on players who combine humility with hunger, preparation with purpose. Pierce embodies that.
The excitement about Payton Pierce isn’t just about what he could become in a few years. It’s about what he’s already doing now. In a conference as physically demanding and strategically complex as the Big Ten, it’s rare for a freshman linebacker to be in this position. But Pierce has proven that he belongs, not through hype or social media buzz, but through relentless daily work and a football mind that’s already turning heads. Laurinaitis’ belief in him isn’t a projection—it’s a reflection of reality. Payton Pierce is ready. And for a program chasing a national title, his emergence couldn’t have come at a better time.
