Jack Sawyer

Jack Sawyer, Ohio State, DE, 6042, 260, Sr

Draft Profile

Overview

Sawyer projects as an immediate contributor in base defensive packages with the potential to develop into an every-down player. His power game and run defense prowess will translate quickly to the NFL level, making him an attractive option for teams running even-front schemes that emphasize setting the edge. While he may never be an elite sack artist, his high motor and technical refinement should allow him to consistently affect the quarterback. His best fit comes with a team that employs multiple defensive fronts and values strength at the point of attack. Sawyer's intelligence and versatility will allow defensive coordinators to move him around the formation, though he's most effective working from a three-point stance. Expect him to make an immediate impact against the run while developing into a 6-8 sack per year player who can stay on the field for all three downs. The team that drafts Sawyer is getting more than just a football player – they're getting a culture-setter who plays with an old-school mentality. His trajectory suggests his best football is still ahead of him, and his combination of power, technique, and football IQ should make him a reliable starter for years to come. Written By: K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)

Background

The local kid who lived out his childhood dream, Jack Sawyer's journey from Pickerington to Ohio State feels like a throwback to an era before the transfer portal reshaped college football. Born just three miles from the Horseshoe at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, Sawyer went from terrorizing quarterbacks at Pickerington North to becoming a cornerstone of the Buckeyes' defense. His path wasn't the meteoric rise many expected from a five-star recruit, but rather a steady climb that culminated in a statement senior season. In an age where elite prospects rarely stay four years, Sawyer's development arc tells a different story. After contributing early with flashes of brilliance (7.5 sacks his first two seasons), he found his stride as a junior with 6.5 sacks and 10 TFLs. But it was his senior campaign where everything clicked – 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a signature moment in the Cotton Bowl where he strip-sacked Quinn Ewers and returned the fumble 83 yards to send Ohio State to the national championship game. The former high school quarterback (who threw for over 1,000 yards at Pickerington North) brings rare athleticism to the edge position. His basketball background shows up in his fluid movement skills, while his defensive stats (144 career tackles, 23 sacks) only tell part of the story. Sawyer's evolution from raw athlete to refined technician mirrors his team's trajectory – peaking at the perfect moment during their championship run.

Scouting Report

Pros

Devastating power at the point of attack – consistently rocks back tackles with powerful first contact and maintains leverage through the rep Natural instincts in the run game shine when diagnosing pulling guards and tight ends – quickly processes and attacks appropriate gap Nasty bull rush that can cave in the pocket – shows exceptional leg drive and hip torque to convert speed to power High-level football IQ translates to excellent play recognition – rarely fooled by misdirection or caught out of position Cross-chop move is a thing of beauty – times it perfectly to get tackles leaning before clearing their hands Runs hot as a pass rusher and shows relentless pursuit – multiple coverage sacks in 2023 from pure effort Strong hands and excellent placement when taking on blocks – consistently controls the point of attack Showcases natural leadership qualities and high character – two-time team captain who elevated in big moments

Cons
Below average get-off at the snap limits his ability to stress tackles around the edge – often last one moving on the defensive line Lacks elite bend and ankle flexion to consistently turn tight corners – has to win with power or through direct lines Hand timing in pass rush can be erratic – allows offensive linemen to land first punch too frequently Change of direction limitations show up when countering back inside – spin move lacks the explosiveness to threaten NFL tackles Despite good testing numbers, functional athleticism appears closer to average – may struggle to win with speed at next level.

Data

History (from college profile)

•Jack is expected to be one of the top defensive ends in the Big Ten Conference and college football in 2024

• He is a three-year Varsity O letterwinner who has played in all 39 games the past three seasons and has started 13 games, all coming in 2023

• Enters 2024 with 19.5 tackles-for-loss (second-most among current Buckeyes) and a team-best 14.0 quarterback sacks, in addition to 84 tackles 

• Had a fine 2023 campaign as a full-time starter: ranking second among all defensive linemen with 48 tackles and leading all linemen with 24 solo stops

• His tackle totals last year included team-high totals of 10 tackles-for-loss, for 46 yards in losses, and 6.5 quarterback sacks

• Also had three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and two pass break-ups

• Earned second-team all-Big Ten Conference honors by the media in 2023; third-team honors by the coaches 

• Recorded personal best six tackles in 2023 three times: vs. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan

• Recorded 24 tackles in 2022, including the third-most tackles-for-loss with 6.5 for minus-24 yards, and earned honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference honors for the league's coaches 

• Also had 4.5 quarterback sacks (-20 yards)

• Contributed 13 total tackles, including 3.0 TFLS (all quarterback sacks) for losses of 24 yards in 2021 as a true freshman

• Also had one pass break-up, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble

• Earned OSU Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2023

• Majoring in sport industry 

Honors & Awards

2023: Honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference (coaches), Academic All-Big Ten Conference, OSU Scholar-Athlete  

2022: Honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference (coaches)

Personal

• The highest-rated prospect in Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class according to 247Sports

• A five-star player who is the No. 1 overall player in Ohio, the No. 4 player nationally and the nation’s No. 3-ranked defensive end

• Did not play his senior season at Pickerington North

• As a junior, was the OCC-Ohio Division Defensive Player of the Year for head coach Nate Hillerich

• Had 37 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13.5 quarterback sacks

• An exceptional athlete, Sawyer also played quarterback for Pickerington North and led then to the Division I, Region 3 playoffs

• Completed 79 of 135 passes for 1,056 yards and nine touchdowns before an injury cut his season short

• Also played basketball at Pickerington North where he made the varsity team as a freshman

• His father, Lyle, played football at Findlay College and his mother, Michelle, was a star basketball player at Pickerington

• His grandfather played in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system