The emotional leader on college football’s best defense in 2024, Jack Sawyer had to go through quite a bit before his breakout senior campaign. From being used out of position to securing a National Championship berth, Sawyer’s time in Columbus will be etched in Buckeye lore for generations. Now, he turns his focus to the NFL. With a good showing at his Pro Day and the Scouting Combine, Sawyer can become the first Ohio State first-round defensive end since Chase Young in 2020. It’s been quite the dry spell for the group Buckeye nation affectionately calls, “Rushmen.”
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jack Sawyer
Jack Sawyer NFL Draft Overview
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 260 pounds
School: Ohio State
Background
Sawyer came to Ohio State as the top-rated recruit from the state of Ohio. He said in his article for The Players’ Tribune that he was going to be a Buckeye no matter what since he’s from right up the road. “Captain Jack” was a Buckeye born and bred and it took him a while to get to play at a five-star caliber.
As a true freshman, Sawyer appeared in 12 games and managed 13 total tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. He mostly got playing time in mop-up duty as he got his feet wet. He got a bit more run as a sophomore. In 13 games, Sawyer amassed 24 tackles, six-and-a-half tackles for loss, four-and-a-half sacks, and broke up a pass.
He was a full-time starter in 2023 and finished with 48 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six-and-a-half sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He was one of the defensive stars in that ugly Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri as he racked up three sacks, attempting to win the game himself since the offense couldn’t do anything.
Last year, Sawyer earned the respect of his teammates after spurning the NFL to run it back one more time. He was named a captain for a second time and he repaid the team with a career year. In 16 games, Sawyer finished with 59 tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries (two for touchdowns), seven pass breakups, and an interception.
During the CFP run, Sawyer led the way with four-and-a-half sacks in the first three games. All seven of those pass breakups were in the CFP as well.
He earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors twice.
Strengths
- Incredibly powerful first punch, can get tackles off balance at the jump
- Elite at setting the edge, opening things up for teammates
- Strong bull rush
- Developed cross-crop move
- Relentless motor
- Refined hand usage when utilized
- Two-time Captain
- Dominated against CFP foes
Weaknesses
- Not as productive as you’d expect from a five-star and first-round talent
- Lacks bend, relies on strength to win
- Get-off off the snap is a bit inconsistent
- Will likely test as an average athlete with less-than-ideal length
- Can have late hands, thus giving linemen an in to control the rep
Best Team Fits: Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens
Projected Round: Late First/Early Second Round
Jack Sawyer in the NFL
Despite not racking up tackles for loss and sacks to the level of other edge rushers, Sawyer is primed to be a top-50 pick in this year’s draft. There are plenty of concerns to his game but at the same time, there are plenty of things to love.
Sawyer is a great run defender. Helmet scouts would point to Sam Hubbard as a decent comparison but Sawyer is a better prospect than Hubbard was at this point. However, like Hubbard, Sawyer is strong and can set the edge to make his teammates look good. Ohio State’s defense, for the majority of the Jim Knowles era, did not rely on defensive ends and the unit’s counting stats suffered.
One concern you’d see with players like Sawyer coming from a blueblood is that most of their productivity came against Group of 5 opponents. For Sawyer, it’s the opposite. He was a non-factor against lesser teams but showed up against Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame. When Ohio State needed a stop, Sawyer was there.
He’s a plug-and-play three-down edge rusher. As a rookie, he will likely be off the field for obvious passing downs. However, against running teams, he should get plenty of run.
Sawyer will be the type of player coaches pound the table for. He’s a leader and has an enviable football IQ. Not many players in Ohio State history are two-time captains. Some NFL Teams (like the Bengals) hold that in high regard.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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