Great players don’t always end up as great coaches. You see it all the time: a legendary player returns to his alma mater and flames out for one reason or another. Think Pat Fitzgerald, Kliff Kingsbury, or Scott Frost. Ohio State has no shortage of legends in its history, and while Ryan Day did not don the scarlet and gray in his playing days, his linebackers coach did. College Football Hall of Fame linebacker James Laurinaitis played for the Buckeyes from 2005 through 2008 and has a list of awards worthy of its own Wikipedia page.
The Laurinaitis experiment at Ohio State has been a rousing success thus far. It’s not outlandish to think he’s going to start getting calls to lead defenses, just as Luke Fickell did during his time. The on-the-field success for Laurinaitis has been evident: In just two seasons, Laurinaitis has produced three NFL Draft picks, with the latter two each going in the top seven. While attributing Cody Simon‘s success could be a stretch, Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese are two players Laurinaitis can hang his hat on. Styles moved to linebacker from safety before the 2024 season, and Reese had his All-American breakout last year.
Of course, in addition to coaching, Laurinaitis has been lighting it up on the recruiting trail. On Monday, the decorated former player nabbed yet another top linebacker recruit.
Prince Goldsby Commits to James Laurinaitis and Ohio State
What Ohio State is Getting
Joining the 2027 recruiting class is four-star linebacker out of Missouri, Prince Goldsby, who is one of the top talents of the cycle. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Goldsby is the seventh-best linebacker, the top player out of Missouri, and the 101st-ranked player regardless of position. If his commitment holds and he signs with the Buckeyes, he would become the eighth recruit from Missouri to do so, joining first-round picks Ezekiel Elliott and Jameson Williams (who later transferred to Alabama).
Goldsby looks a lot like Reese in how he has been utilized at Blue Springs South High School. He’s as athletic as they come as a two-sport athlete. Coming off the edge, he is an effective pass rusher who has dominated simply by being better. In that realm, there is still a little refinement to be had, but he has the tools to be a high-floor player even while learning. In the off-ball role, he can drop back into coverage as well as chase down ball carriers from behind the play.
Last year, Goldsby notched 83 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in a 10-game season. As a sophomore, he posted a modest 25 tackles and two sacks in nine games.
He joins Quinton Cypher as one of the two linebackers in the 2027 class. Cypher is the ninth-best linebacker in the cycle and committed to the Buckeyes back in December.
Laurinaitis’ Recruiting Efforts
In addition to the two top linebackers in the 2027 class, Laurinaitis has been putting in the work on the recruiting trail. In his first season as the linebacker coach, Laurinaitis nabbed an impressive trio of recruits for the 2025 recruiting class. Despite all three playing minor rotational roles in their first season, each looks like they have a future with the Buckeyes. Riley Pettijohn and TJ Alford are already battling for significant playing time in 2026, whereas Eli Lee is one of the more underrated depth pieces on the defense.
In eight appearances on defense, Pettijohn amassed nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and a forced fumble that he scooped for a touchdown in the win over Grambling State. He earned 76 snaps. Alford, meanwhile, played 50 snaps over seven games and totaled six tackles and one tackle for loss.
Both Pettijohn and Alford are expected to have larger roles in 2026.
Last year’s recruiting efforts netted the top linebacker in the nation in Cincere Johnson. The latest in a long line of Glenville-to-Ohio State players, Johnson is right there with the rest of the top linebackers in the room this year. It’ll be difficult to break through as a true freshman, but Johnson has already begun to show that he’s got what it takes. Fellow Ohioan CJ Sanna joins Johnson in the class as a four-star recruit and will provide depth this fall.
Additionally, the Buckeyes took a promising graduate transfer from Wisconsin, Christian Alliegro. Coaches have raved about Alliegro’s toughness and his football IQ he showed with the Badgers. One point that gets repeated is the fact that he played with a broken arm against Ohio State in 2025.
Laurinaitis has been passing every test for the Buckeyes in his short tenure as coach. It seems that the best is yet to come for the ascending leader of men.
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