Former Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer was selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the NFL draft on April 26.
The Steelers, who announced him as a linebacker in their 3-4 scheme, took him with the No. 123 overall pick. Sawyer was taken one pick after Carolina drafted Buckeye safety Lathan Ransom.
Sawyer is the first Buckeye taken by the Steelers in a decade. Pittsburgh took cornerback Doran Grant in 2015, also in the fourth round.
Jack Sawyer was a crucial player in Ohio State’s run to the national championship. He was the first recruit to commit after Ryan Day became coach and was vital a year ago in persuading his fellow seniors to delay entry into the NFL for one final shot at college glory.
Then Sawyer made the instantly iconic 83-yard scoop and score to seal OSU’s win over Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinal. A five-star recruit, Sawyer didn’t make a huge impact until the second half of his junior year. He continued that as a senior captain, teaming with J.T. Tuimoloau to give the Buckeyes a pair of elite defensive ends.
Jack Sawyer highlights
Sawyer’s hit on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and fumble return for a touchdown instantly became one of the most famous defensive players in Ohio State history, if not the most famous. Texas was at the 8-yard line and a touchdown away from tying the game. Instead, Sawyer’s score clinched a berth in the national title game. On the play before that, Sawyer pressured Ewers into an interception.
Against Michigan last year, Sawyer made a play that would have also gone down in Buckeye lore if Ohio State had pulled out a victory. Sawyer made a leaping interception of a pass in the end zone to thwart a Michigan drive with the score tied in the fourth quarter.
Jack Sawyer stats
Sawyer played in 55 games for Ohio State, including 29 starts. He had 144 career tackles and 28½ tackles for loss for 162 yards, including 23 sacks for 152 yards. He also forced six fumbles, had 15 quarterback hurries and broke up 11 passes.
Jack Sawyer height, weight
At the NFL combine, Sawyer was measured at 6-4 and 260 pounds.
Jack Sawyer combine results
Sawyer did not do drills at the NFL combine. At Ohio State’s pro day on March 26, the only drill Sawyer did was the bench press. He did 21 reps.
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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on bluesky at billrabinowitz@bsky.social.
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