Finding the right fit for your college football program isn't just about what happens on the field, but off it as well. Today, Ohio State added a key piece. How will that commitment impact the Buckeyes?
Ohio State landed a commitment from one of Ohio's top high school prospects this afternoon when four-star offensive tackle Ryan Jacoby became the team's second commitment of the 2019 class.
Let's take a closer look at what Jacoby – the nation's No. 39 offensive tackle prospect – brings to Ohio State
On the Field
Jacoby is one of the most talented players in the state at a position of need for the Buckeyes.
Named first-team all-Ohio after leading Mentor to the Division I state championship game last season, Jacoby certainly passes the eye-test. He's 6-5, 270 with the size and build to play tackle, but the speed and mobility to play guard.
Despite playing outside at the tackle position throughout his high school career, Jacoby could also play guard at Ohio State. Jacoby excels at getting outside and downfield as a lead blocker, which would translate well to a pulling guard. In any case, he provides the Buckeyes with a versatile option on the offensive line.
Unlike many high school prospects – such as Josh Myers who played in a triple-option offense throughout high school – Jacoby plays in more of a spread offense and is a skilled pass blocker.
In the Class
Jacoby is just the second commitment of the 2019 class, and the second offensive lineman after four-star tackle Doug Nester committed to the Buckeyes in August.
The Buckeyes made Jacoby a priority after losing in-state five-star offensive tackle Jackson Carman to Clemson, and it paid off as Jacoby committed less than two months after receiving his offer.
Though Jacoby's commitment gives Ohio State two offensive tackles in this class already, this doesn't mean the Buckeyes will stop recruiting the position hard. Offensive tackle is arguably the most important position in this recruiting cycle.
That, coupled with the fact that both Nester and Jacoby could play guard at the next level, means Ohio State will remain in pursuit of Darnell Wright, Michael Tarquin, Harry Miller and Xavier Truss. Realistically, the Buckeyes could end up with six offensive linemen in this class alone.
Jacoby also gives the Buckeyes yet another link to four-star defensive end Noah Potter, the younger brother of Ohio State basketball center Micah Potter, as the two are high school teammates.
The Intangibles
Before announcing his commitment, and well before he became a top high school prospect, Jacoby was a Buckeye.
“This offer means a lot,” Jacoby told Eleven Warriors upon receiving an Ohio State offer in January. “It's the team I grew up watching and rooting for.”
Just over two weeks ago, Jacoby took his first visit after receiving his offer, and any doubts he may have had were answered.
“It was an incredible trip. I loved it,” Jacoby told Eleven Warriors. “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.”
Jacoby becomes the first Ohio member of what figures to be a class with much more local flavor than Urban Meyer's previous classes.
