Though Ohio State landed a signature on National Signing Day from Tampa five-star Nicholas Petit-Frere, addressing an overall lack of depth at the offensive tackle position remains among the staff’s top priorities on the recruiting trail.
A commitment from Mentor four-star offensive tackle Ryan Jacoby surely helps ease some of those concerns. He announced his decision on Twitter Thursday afternoon.
— Ryan Jacoby (@Ryan_Jacoby) March 1, 2018
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Jacoby is considered the 39th-best offensive tackle and No. 353 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He picked Ohio State over double-digit offers from programs such as Boston College, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon and West Virginia.
The Buckeyes offered Jacoby a scholarship in mid-January, and his commitment seemed inevitable from there.
The Jacoby File
- Class: 2019
- Size: 6-5/270
- Pos: OT
- School: Mentor (OH)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 39 (OT)
“This offer means a lot,” he said. “It's the team I grew up watching and rooting for.”
Jacoby admitted at the time he was in no hurry to make a decision, as he planned to see several other programs this spring with an eye on a summer announcement. His unofficial visit to Columbus for Junior Day last month seemingly threw a wrench in those plans, though.
Jacoby had been to campus several times over the last year, including the Buckeyes’ highly anticipated game against Oklahoma in September. But this visit was special for him and his parents, as it marked the first time they’d ever met coaches recruiting their son.
“It was an incredible trip. I loved it,” Jacoby said. “We saw the dorms and players, and it was great to see and talk with coach [Urban] Meyer and [Greg] Stud[rawa]. It was great.”
That individualized attention Jacoby received that weekend is perhaps what sealed the deal for Ohio State.
Jacoby becomes just the second member of Ohio State’s #DYN19STY recruiting class, joining fellow four-star Doug Nester at the offensive tackle position.
