Armed with 3.7 GPA, Ryan Jacoby transfers to Pitt, petitions NCAA for immediate eligibility

If Ryan Jacoby, an offensive lineman who transferred from Ohio State to Pitt, is rewarded with an NCAA waiver and is eligible to play this season, Pat Narduzzi believes there’s plenty of time for him to learn the playbook.

How is he so sure? Jacoby is coming to Pitt with a 3.7 grade-point average.

“Anytime you have that, there’s always time,” Pitt’s coach said.

Jacoby (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) participated in his first Pitt practice Wednesday, but he can’t play until the NCAA approves his waiver request. He missed the July 1 deadline for entering the transfer portal.

Worst case: With five seniors on the offensive line, Jacoby can improve depth there in 2022.

Jacoby entered the portal Aug. 9, attracting Narduzzi’s attention. Still, the Pitt coach said he always steps carefully when investigating transfers.

He contacted old friend Tim Hinton, who coached with Narduzzi at Cincinnati and is now Ohio State’s executive director for football relations.

“Anytime you go in the portal you better know what you’re getting,” Narduzzi said. “And we got a kid from Mentor, Ohio, 6-5, 310 lineman who looks athletic. He’s looking for a re-start for whatever reason.

“Great addition to what we are looking for.”

Jacoby, a redshirt sophomore, was a tackle at Mentor — rated No. 47 in the nation by Rivals.com — but Narduzzi said he’s unsure where he will line up at Pitt.

“Everybody’s got a different fit,” he said. “I don’t want to pinhole into one position. We’ll see and coach (Dave) Borbely will make that decision.”