It should come as no surprise that Texas linebacker Payton Pierce chose Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are getting a linebacker that has an incredibly high ceiling and is ranked as one of the best players in the country. The 247Sports Composite ranks Pierce as the No. 15 best ‘backer and 151st overall recruit.
The 6-foot, 2-inch, 225-pound defender chose Ohio State over offers from Oklahoma, Notre Dame, LSU, Michigan, and others.
Pierce became the 10th commit in the 2024 recruiting cycle for Ryan Day, who looks to have turned the recruiting focus to defense after a recent run of offensive stars.
Although Garrett Stover is listed as a linebacker, he could end up at safety, which could be a similar case with Pierce. Find out below what the Buckeyes are getting from their most recent commitment.
Great run stopping instincts
Payton Pierce is a MONSTER😤
(Via. @MaxPreps) #maxpreps #texas #texasfootball #highschollatandout pic.twitter.com/ylv3LNO95r
— FootballVille Texas (@FBVTexas) March 14, 2023
Analysis
If it’s blitzing up the middle, from the edge, or just from his set, Pierce is that big-body linebacker that you want to clog up the middle of a run game. He already possesses a college-ready frame and could add more weight as he gets on campus. The instincts to fill a gap are impressive.
Big time athlete
State Champs🤝 @Sam_Reynolds61 pic.twitter.com/41RZ9FDuM9
— Payton Pierce (@payton_pierce26) April 21, 2022
Analysis
There is something to be said about football players that are also star wrestlers, which Pierce is. It translates over by understanding leverages and short-area movements. Not only that, he played quarterback and was a demon on special teams. The Buckeyes are getting an extremely impressive athlete.
Strength
2024 Lovejoy LB Payton Pierce (@payton_pierce26) gets free in the backfield and comes away with a big 3rd down sack. @TFB_Texas | @TFB_Sooners pic.twitter.com/rUC29ksRLc
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) November 27, 2021
Analysis
Point-of-attack strength is very important for linebackers, and Pierce has that. He’s able to use his hands to disengage from blockers while not losing his balance and getting stops. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson will teach some of those techniques as well (if that’s where he ends up) and Pierce will only get better.
Coverage
Turnover on downs. Lovejoy's Payton Pierce with one helluva rush on Luster to force the incompletion. Leopards take over at their 34 with a 21-20 lead. 29 seconds left in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/k8EgBydvnX
— Matt Welch (@MWelchSLM) November 5, 2021
Analysis
Right now Pierce is best at stopping the run. His highlights don’t show much of his ability to play in space, but he has the speed to do it, so it’s more about getting more reps and reading formations. If Pierce can do it for the running game, once he learns how to do it on passing plays, he will be a 3-down linebacker.
Expectations
Timberview driving into Lovejoy territory…but fumble with just under a minute left.
Ball is recovered by…Lovejoy's Payton Pierce, who just threw the go-ahead touchdown. #txhsfbplayoffs pic.twitter.com/9mZ6ZgP2I2
— RJ Coyle (@coylio33) November 27, 2021
Comparison
There is going to be plenty of competition to fill Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers shoes, but don’t expect Pierce to step into them. A redshirt year one is most likely in order but he has the ability to make waves years after. Baron Browning is who Pierce reminds me of, both Texans who will enter the program around the same size. Unfortunately, the Buckeyes didn’t see Browning’s ability to attack from the edge, and hopefully that changes when it’s Pierce’s turn to get reps.
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