Former Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer is set to join the Pittsburgh Steelers after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers were pleased to add Sawyer, who had an impressive performance during the College Football Playoffs last season. He recorded 13 tackles, 4.5 sacks, seven pass defenses, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Sawyer’s standout moment came in Ohio State’s semifinal win over Texas when he sacked quarterback Quinn Ewers, forcing a fumble that he returned for an 83-yard touchdown. “I can’t say enough about Jack Sawyer,” said Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. “To make a play like that in that moment… He just became a legend at Ohio State.”
Hailing from Pickerington, Ohio, Sawyer first gained attention as a freshman at Pickerington North High School. Nate Hillerich, his high school coach, recalled Sawyer’s early promise: “He was always just different, a man among boys.” Sawyer quickly became known for his competitive spirit and work ethic.
Despite being initially challenged by college-level competition during his freshman year at Ohio State due to COVID-19 disruptions, Sawyer improved each season. His sack total increased annually from three to nine by his final year.
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin praised Sawyer’s ability to make crucial plays: “You see him make a lot of big plays at crunch time… I think he’ll fit in nicely in our room.” General Manager Omar Khan emphasized that adding Sawyer made sense based on their evaluation: “We spent a lot of time with him; he just fits here.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed enthusiasm for the new addition: “(I) love Jack Sawyer… how he’s viewed and received by his teammates.” With Pickerington located within driving distance of Pittsburgh, Hillerich anticipates more fans from central Ohio supporting the Steelers due to Sawyer’s presence on the team.
