For some players, the path to the NFL is paved with the biggest paycheck, but for Christian Alliegro, it was about finding the best coaches. This decision led him to turn down a lucrative offer from Texas to join Ohio State in the portal.

“I think ultimately I just wanted somewhere that could help me get to the next level,” said the ex-Wisconsin LB during his Thursday appearance. “Obviously, Ohio State has the best players, the best coaches, so this was kind of a no-brainer.”

A major draw for the transfer linebacker is the opportunity to learn under OSU LBs coach James Laurinaitis. His “wisdom as an eight-year NFL veteran” is a primary reason for a prospective pro player like Alliegro to choose the Buckeyes. Then, the senior LB’s positive interaction with head coach Ryan Day, who specifically noted the toughness Alliegro showed by returning to play with a broken arm during the Wisconsin-OSU game in 2025, also influenced his decision.

That game also played a key role in sparking the OSU LB coach’s interest in Alliegro. “To see him with the club on in that game, fighting and the toughness, I honestly noticed his size on the field. I was like, ‘Gosh, zero over there is a big, big son of a gun.’ And just thought there was like a veteran, like we’re very talented, but we’re young and green,” said Laurinaitis.

Following the departures of Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles to the draft, the Buckeyes had a significant need for veteran leadership at LB. That’s when, with one season of eligibility remaining, Alliegro joined the Buckeyes this January and became a part of a revamped LB room with talents like returning junior LB Payton Pierce, sophomore Riley Pettijohn, and rising talent TJ Alford.

Pierce was a key contributor last season with 44 tackles and is expected to be a primary starter alongside Alliegro. Meanwhile, Alford is a key young player who saw action in 11 games as a freshman.

But following his performance in early spring drills, analysts and team reports indicate Alliegro is expected to be a starting LB this fall. His resume certainly supports the hype; over 35 games with the Badgers, he was a consistent force, recording 124 tackles and 14 TFLs, highlighted by a career-best 16-tackle performance against Iowa in 2024.

Now, he will play his final collegiate season with the Buckeyes.

OSU transfer LB is making waves in Columbus

During spring practice, Christian Alliegro has been seen playing both as an edge rusher and a Sam linebacker, with plans to move into off-ball roles in two-LB sets. In fact, he shed his black stripe after just six spring practices, demonstrating how quickly he has adapted to DC Matt Patricia’s scheme.

“If they’re just getting into the program where maybe they’re an older player, and things are going to go fast, what you try to really do is like, hey, let me just teach you this one thing first. You know, let me see how you handle that. Let you get a little bit of confidence with that first. Then let me teach you this next thing. And then you build it that way,” said Patricia about teaching his defense to talent like Alliegro.

Now, the OSU senior LB has all the tools to make a breakout season, but earning the LB1 position won’t be a walk in the park because Laurinaitis wants competition throughout his LB room.

“The standard was always to try to get our room to a point where you felt a healthy amount of pressure to perform in the sense of, if I have a bad day or two, I could be passed up by the next guy because of the talent level in the room. And I constantly want that grittiness to it, because I certainly felt it when I was here,” said OSU’s LB coach.

Alliegro’s arrival provides a veteran presence, but the defense’s success will ultimately hinge on whether that talent can replicate the No. 1 ranking the unit achieved in 2024 last season.