Pitt freshman offensive tackle Ryan Baer grew up a Steelers 'fan-boy' in Cleveland

At this embryonic stage of his college career, Ryan Baer might carry the highest profile of the 12 freshmen in Pitt’s class of 2022.

That might be difficult to prove. After all, he’s been on campus for just a month and has yet to wear pads. But there’s no doubt he’s the biggest at 6-foot-7, 331 pounds.

Yet, not too big to be in awe when Baer, a four-star offensive left tackle prospect, reported to Pitt’s South Side practice facility for the first time. He reached the front door at the same time Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was reporting to work in the other half of the building.

“My first day here,” said Baer, one of seven Pitt freshmen to graduate early from high school and enroll in time for spring drills that begin Feb. 28, “Mike Tomlin was walking past and he gave me a fist bump. It was a crazy experience. I was definitely fan-boying it a little bit.”

Baer is a native of Eastlake, Ohio, about a half-hour drive from Cleveland. But he grew up a Steelers fan.

“My grandparents are from Pennsylvania,” he said. “We used to have parties to watch Steelers games. The Super Bowl against the Packers was heart-breaking. I’ve always been around Terrible Towels and Steelers gear.”

But his family isn’t the only reason he roots for the Steelers. “Plus,” he said, “the Browns always suck.”

Baer had scholarship offers from 21 schools, including Notre Dame, Michigan State, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. With all five starting offensive linemen returning this year, Pitt had little to offer in the way of early playing time.

Didn’t matter.

“A lot of recruits would probably be upset,” he said. “But I was excited. When I came on my visit, those guys were one of the biggest motivators of me wanting to come here, hearing what they had to say about the program and how they bonded together. I’m happy they came back, and I already learned so much from the people ahead of me.”

The other factor, he said, was offensive line coach Dave Borbely.

“Most of the time we didn’t even talk about ball. It was life,” Baer said. “How’s life doing? What are you doing? He didn’t really put much pressure on me.”

Overall, Baer said he had no use for normal recruiting practices.

“I hated it. I did not like being recruited. I did not like going on visits. I almost committed to a school because I didn’t want to go through it anymore.”

He said he put Pitt among his top-five choices as “a last-second decision.” The visit vaulted Pitt to the top of his list.

“I didn’t even want to visit here and then I visited and I realized it was one of the best decisions I ever made,” he said.

Baer said he attended most home games last season and enjoyed the atmosphere at Heinz Field as Pitt was in the process of winning an ACC championship.

“I love the fans, even though what some people say about it, not packing (the stands),” he said. “I really liked the fourth-quarter ‘Sweet Caroline.’”

On campus, veteran left tackle Carter Warren has been helping him with techniques linemen need to perfect.

“He was helping me … making sure I got the little things right,” he said. “Because in college ball, those little things are going to be what takes you from a good player to the elite.”

Baer said he reached 6-foot-7, thanks to two growth spurts — 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-11 in sixth grade and eventually reaching 6-foot-6 as a freshman.

But he’s not impressed by his size.

“It helped being bigger than people, but once I got to high school, I realized being bigger than people really isn’t going to cut it anymore. The growth spurt helped with my recruitment, but I don’t think it affected my play.”