Former Florida State offensive lineman Jacob Rizy was released from the New England Patriots’ practice squad Thursday, ending a promising first NFL summer that began as a priority undrafted free agent.
The move was revealed via the NFL transaction wire.
The Patriots signed veteran interior lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson to the practice squad in the corresponding move. Rizy, the 6-foot-5, 306-pound Connecticut native who spent his final two college seasons in Tallahassee, had been with New England since May after going undrafted.
He was waived at the end of training camp on Aug. 30, then quickly brought back once he cleared waivers.
From a Seminoles perspective, the news stings more than a typical late-roster shuffle. Rizy arrived at Florida State from Harvard as a proven starter and left as a two-degree graduate who earned All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2025.
He played 23 games over two seasons with seven starts, lining up at left guard, center, right guard and right tackle. That versatility is what first appealed to New England. In 2025 he helped an FSU offense that ranked 11th nationally in rushing.
Rizy’s path was never conventional. A no-star recruit out of Staples High School in Westport, he became a two-time All-Ivy League selection and team captain at Harvard, starting 20 games at tackle before entering the portal.
At Florida State, he never locked down a full-time starting job, but he was reliable when called upon and graded out as a high-level athlete (9.88 Relative Athletic Score) for an interior lineman.
That athleticism and positional flexibility showed up in Patriots camp. After veteran Ben Brown suffered a knee injury in the preseason opener against Indianapolis, Rizy logged heavy snaps at center and stayed in the backup mix the rest of the summer. He even appeared as a jumbo tight end in Week 1.
Coaches liked the size, length and willingness to play anywhere. It was not enough to keep the roster spot once New England decided it wanted more veteran insurance inside.
For Seminole fans who followed his two years in garnet and gold, the waiver is another reminder how thin the margin is for undrafted linemen. Rizy already cleared waivers once this year.
He remains a free agent and can sign with any team. Given his college résumé — Ivy League production plus ACC snaps, two degrees, and the ability to play four positions — another practice-squad or developmental opportunity is realistic.
Rizy’s Florida State chapter was short but productive. He added depth and intelligence to the offensive line, represented the program well academically, and earned a real NFL look with one of the league’s most storied franchises.
The Patriots chapter is over for now. The next one is still unwritten.
