Trio of area players on USA Today all-star team

Mentor’s Ryan Jacoby and Noah Potter, and Chardon’s Chase Kline were named to the USA Today Ohio football team for 2017.

Three area high school football players earned spots on USA Today’s All-Ohio team, released Dec. 27.

Mentor junior left tackle Ryan Jacoby was a first-team pick on the team’s offensive line. Chardon senior Chase Kline, who signed with Michigan State last week, was a first-team pick at linebacker. Mentor junior defensive lineman Noah Potter was also a first-team selection.

Jacoby is listed at 6-foot5, 310 pounds, but Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno said that is inaccurate. Jacoby is about 265 pounds, and still adding weight.

Jacoby was a wrestler for Mentor the last two seasons and competed at 220 pounds, a factor Trivisonno has said has hurt Jacoby in recruiting. Colleges want to see Jacoby add weight, and he’s in the process of doing that, said the Mentor coach. He is not a member of the school’s wrestling team this winter.

What has colleges excited about Jacoby is his athleticism as a left tackle.

“It’s huge,” said Trivisonno. “I think when these coaches see him add more weight, the interest in him will skyrocket and the offers will come pouring in.”

Jacoby’s offers include Iowa State, Virginia, Pittsburgh and others. Trivisonno expects interest from the likes of Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State to ramp up in the spring, with offers from most, if not all.

“His feet really set him apart right now,” said Trivisonno. “He’s one of the most athletic (offensive) linemen we’ve ever had here.”

Kline was named the Division III Ohio Defensive Player of the Year on Nov. 28 after making 129 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, nine sacks and seven pass breakups.

“That means a lot to me,” Kline said of the player of the year award. “That was one of my goals going into the season. I’m truly honored. I am happy I was able to finish my senior season strong.”

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker signed his national letter of intent with Michigan State Dec. 20.