Former Ohio State OL Ryan Jacoby Looking Forward to Second Chance and Opportunity at Pitt

Growing up near Columbus, Ohio, Ryan Jacoby’s dream was to wear the uniform and play for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Jacoby got to realize that dream in 2019 when he signed with Ohio State, however, things didn’t work out as planned. Despite being a highly ranked 4-star recruit, the 6’4″, 305 pound lineman didn’t see the field in his first two seasons so he made the decision last week to enter the transfer portal.

Sunday night, Jacoby made the decision to re-start his collegiate career and transfer to play for Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers.

Following the news Sunday evening, Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Steve Trivisonno, who was Jacoby’s head coach at Mentor High School in Ohio and he has remained close with his former star lineman. Trivisonno talked to us about Jacoby’s decision and believes Pitt could be the perfect landing spot for him to showcase his talents.

“I was a little surprised when he made the decision last week to transfer,” Trivisonno told PSN. “We talked about it in the spring and he was happy and planned on giving it another go (at Ohio State) but after the spring, I guess he decided it was time to make a change. I’m all for that and support his decision. He has to get to a point where he’s most comfortable and get a chance to play. Ultimately, that’s what it came down to and I know that he’s really excited and fired up to get to Pitt and be a part of it.”

“He was sitting at the third guard position and never could crack in there. Every year, they’re bringing in four more four and five-star guys, so it’s not easy. They’re (Ohio State) loaded and it just got to the point where he wanted to get a chance to play. When you talk to him, he really loved Ohio State but it’s not easy there, ultimately he wanted to play and is really excited to join Coach Narduzzi and Pitt. We’ve (Mentor High School) had great success with our guys joining Pitt so we’re excited he ended up there.”

Despite not getting on the field at Columbus, Jacoby has talent and will now have four seasons to showcase his skills in front of a new coaching staff at Pitt.

“What Pitt got is a mauler. Every since I’ve known him, he was a big hockey player, he started for us as a sophomore, he was a mean, tough kid,” said Trivisonno. “He’s a big, strong, physical kid that is a mauler and I assume they’ll play him at guard, depending on what their depth is down the road. He very well could end up as a tackle. He was our left tackle and was great at it. He was a great high school left tackle and really protected our quarterback. Ohio State moved him inside so I’m not sure what Pitt’s plans for him are though.”

Jacoby will join Pitt as a redshirt sophomore with four years of eligibility remaining. However, Pitt is waiting to hear from the NCAA as to Jacoby’s eligibility for the 2021 season because of his late entry into the transfer portal. The deadline was July 1 so it remains to be seen whether Jacoby will be eligible to suit up this season. Regardless, at some point, Pitt will give him an opportunity to showcase his skills.

“I think it’s a great move for him, I know he’s excited to move in tomorrow (Monday) and be a part of a great program with great tradition and get in there and get after it. I’m looking forward to be able to see him play and great things are coming for the Pitt program and I know Ryan is excited to be a part of it.”