The 2026 Linebackers At Ohio State Who Are Looking To Make A Big Impact

The Linebackers at Ohio State for the 2026-2027 season are great, even though both Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese are both in the National Football League. The key player among them is Junior Peyton Peirce. He has already received a big honor in his third year, and he could end up forcing the Buckeyes to play three linebackers.

Generally, the strength of the Ohio State defense has been the defensive line and secondary. There are, for sure, great athletes at both of those positions; however, there is an emergent story among the linebackers. Junior Peyton Peirce has shown up at camp and has gotten some big honors. With the Buckeyes suffering losses among the linebackers, did you think this could be a strength of this team?

Ohio State Linebackers Look Great In 2026

Ohio State has an emerging good story among the linebackers. Peyton Peirce came to training camp highly motivated. He said, “When I came here, it was my goal to be a captain and be a leader of this team. So every decision I make is kind of towards that, doing what’s best for the team and trying to be the best leader I can every day.” Captains have not been announced yet for this coming season, but he is turning heads and might have a chance.

This is interesting because his good play so far could force Ohio State, which has recently played two linebackers, to play three. If all goes according to plan, and it rarely does as injuries rear their ugly heads, Peirce’s production will rise (career statistics below) with Styles and Reese gone. But the stats are not going to be the only thing that changes for Peirce, as he’s been tasked with wearing the green-dot helmet as Ohio State’s Mike linebacker this season. That means he is calling the defensive plays and playing in the middle of three linebackers.

As for his reaction, he is excited. He said, “I love it. I like being in control. I’ve waited my turn for this, and I think I’m ready for it. I’m super excited. The coaches have done a great job of putting in good play calls for us and building the defense. I’m ready to go out there, get everyone lined up, and go out there and ball out.” Other players on the defense are fine with Pierce calling the plays. They are good with hearing his voice in their helmets.

Peyton Pierce Career Statistics As Linebacker

During Pierce’s freshman year, he played twelve games. He had four total tackles, with his role coming on special teams. Last season, he saw more action at linebacker. He played all 14 games and recorded forty-four total tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and a pass deflection. He was Ohio State’s third linebacker last season, but early in the season, he will be among the starting linebackers. Those statistics are likely to rise.

Sonny Styles New Responsibility

Sonny Styles, who now plays for the Washington Commanders, wore the green dot for Ohio State last year. Pierce learned a great deal from his predecessor and is adapting that into his new responsibility. He said, “I think Sonny did a really good job of taking things one day at a time, and one play at a time, not worried about the next. I feel like that’s what the best linebackers here do: they don’t worry about what just happened. They don’t worry about the next play. They worry about getting the guys lined up on that play and doing everything they can that play to maximize it.”

Conclusion

Ohio State’s linebacker room enters the season with a clear sense of momentum, and Pierce sits at the center of it. His rise from special‑teams contributor to green‑dot leader reflects both his growth and the trust the staff has placed in him. The responsibility is significant, especially with the defense shifting toward a three‑linebacker structure and replacing proven production from Styles and Reese. Pierce has embraced the challenge with confidence, leaning on lessons from Sonny Styles while carving out his own voice inside the huddle. If his early camp performance carries into September, Ohio State will not only gain a reliable Mike linebacker but a steady communicator capable of elevating the entire unit.