Ohio State linebacker TJ Alford has quickly become one of the most notable breakout candidates in an already loaded Buckeye linebacker room this spring.
Among a group that features rising junior Payton Pierce, rising sophomore Riley Pettijohn, Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro and incoming five-star freshman Cincere Johnson, Alford, has already begun to carve out a strong case for playing time in the fall.
After spending last year adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game, Alford says he can feel his growth on the field not just physically, but mentally.
“I feel like I’m just more confident, more knowledgeable about the system, about what offense could run,” Alford said.
A significant catalyst for Alford’s jump is the stability at the top of the defense. Now entering his second year under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Alford is reaping the rewards of his continuity.
After the offseason a year ago was spent learning Patricia’s scheme, this spring has been about refinement, Alford said, noting that he and the entire defense are more comfortable after a full year in the system.
“I feel like we’re way more advanced because when he first came in even the older guys were still learning the system, but now the people that were here last year pretty much already know the system and now they’re just reviewing it,” Alford said.
Alford was originally recruited as a four-star prospect out of Vero Beach, Fla., finishing as the 31st-ranked linebacker in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
As a freshman, Alford appeared in 11 games for Ohio State, primarily on special teams. He took 50 total defensive snaps over seven games, which was fifth among linebackers behind potential first round draft picks Sonny Styles (661) and Arvell Reese (649), as well as returners Pierce (262) and Pettijohn (76).
The 6-1, 233-pound linebacker was productive in that short span, recording six tackles and a tackle for loss.
Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has seen that growth firsthand, pointing to both Alford’s physical development and his maturation off the field as key factors in his progression between his freshman to sophomore season.
Laurinaitis said Alford’s improvement from last season carried over into the start this spring, adding that his maturity has been the clear separator from the two seasons.
“TJ has grown so much from last season. He got so much better from fall camp to like when we were in the postseason,” Laurinaitis said. “There’s been maturity, I think TJ learned a lot about himself through last season. There’s been a seriousness of trying to find a way to get on the field and have a role, which I think TJ’s done a phenomenal job.
Laurinaitis continued, stating that Alford’s offseason work has placed him in a position to challenge for snaps during the regular season.
“He had a really strong start to this spring and so I expect to see a lot of football out of TJ Alford come this fall if everything keeps trending the way,” Laurinaitis said. “He’s a guy that takes coaching, works at it. It’s hard to (explain) without showing you side-by-side clips of some of our stuff but it’s gotten so much better. So I think the future is just really bright for TJ.”
The Port Saint Lucie, Fla., native Alford echoed the sentiment from his linebackers coach, believing that his strong spring has shown he can make the same impact during the season.
“I’ve shown that I deserve to play,” Alford said. “I feel like I’ve shown that I pay attention. I’ve grown a lot.”
