OL Jacob Rizy (Florida St)
6’5 316lbs # 64
Positional versatility has assisted numerous players over the years in getting ahead of the competition. In comes Jacob Rizy a do-it-all o-lineman having played in numerous positions across the line at Florida State and previously at Harvard was the left tackle his entire career. He has ideal measurements and athleticism, having 34 5/8” arms, 9 3/4” hands, 82” wingspan, and ran a 5.20 40-yard dash. His measurements and 40 time were all conducted at his pro day.
Jacob Rizy is from Westport, CT, and attended Staples High School. He was a two-sport athlete who wrestled and played both sides of the ball at OT and DT on the football field. He was a two-time captain, earned three varsity letters, and made All-FCIAC in both wrestling and football. Despite his accomplishments, he was a 0-star recruit but managed to receive offers from schools for his athletic potential and academics. He was able to commit to Harvard staying close to home and attending the same college his great-uncle did.
Rizy played at left tackle for Harvard University where in the limited statistical data and film I could find it was claimed he never gave up a sack his entire career at Harvard. I sourced that from his own YouTube highlight reel to display to schools entering the transfer portal (take that for what you will). On film at LT, he was a monster, constantly playing past the whistle, constantly putting rushers in the dirt with his physicality, good footwork, and athleticism to get to the second level on lead run blocks with ease, he appeared to me as a guy playing above his competition level against Ivy League schools. He was awarded First Team All-Ivy League honors his senior year and Second Team honors his junior year.
His tape was impressive enough that he graduated from Harvard double majoring in economics and psychology. Rizy wanted to continue playing football but at a higher collegiate level. he decided to enter the transfer portal as a grad transfer. Thanks to COVID rules benefiting collegiate athletes he had an additional year of eligibility and decided to join Florida State for his final 2 years.
At FSU he played every position except for LT, he was not as featured as he and the program had hoped. He started 7 games in the two years and served as their primary backup across the line. He saw the field in 11 games last season but only 2 of them came as a starter playing LG, and RT. Though he may not have seen the ideal amount of playing time, Rizy was able to add another degree to his academic accomplishments, graduating with a degree in social science. After his final season, Rizy participated in Florida State's pro day showing all he has to offer at different spots across the offensive line. His ability to play multiple positions, is the type of versatility the Patriots are always looking for in linemen, which helped him get the call from the Patriots staff following the draft claiming him as a UDFA.
When it comes to the offensive line you can never have too much depth. So when it comes to what I could see Rizy doing if he were to make the team it would be just that, additional depth across the line. I think he does have a ways to go before I can definitvely say this is where I could see him filling in best but his positional versatility really could help his case. We've seen it not just here but on other NFL teams, the guys who can do the most and display the ability to play wherever they are needed help their chances, look at Ted Karras, Joe Thuney, Patrick Makkari Elgton Jenkins, the more you can do the more you can help the team. What it ultimately comes down to is stacking days, showing consistent improvement, and in his case bringing that mean streak we saw from him at Harvard. This is certainly not Ivy League-level players he can easily toss around, and if he wasn't able to maintain a starting role at Florida State is that an indicator of handling NFL competition? I push back on that because maybe Florida State wasn't the right system for him, maybe they abandoned him too early, there's a lot of what-ifs. What matters is that none of that matters now, you're at an NFL Training Camp bust your ass, give your all, put some guys on the ground (gently if possible please), and be willing to do whatever it takes to show you belong. If he's not able to make the 53-man roster, keep him on the practice squad spot to give him the tools, the preparation, and the time to develop into his full potential and find his best role, to be more than a jack of all trades but be a master of all!
Best of luck, Jacob Rizy!