Jack Sawyer has made the decision to extend his tenure with the Ohio State Buckeyes for his senior year.
The junior, hailing from Pickerington North High School, made significant strides in the 2023 season, showcasing his prowess on the football field. During his breakout season, Sawyer amassed impressive statistics, boasting 48 tackles, which included 6½ sacks and 10 tackles for losses.
Notably, he delivered a remarkable performance in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri, contributing three sacks, despite Ohio State’s 14-3 loss in that game.
Sawyer’s commitment to stay with the Buckeyes in 2024 follows a string of similar announcements from his teammates. Safety Lathan Ransom declared his return earlier in the day, while defensive tackle Tyleik Williams had previously revealed his decision to continue his collegiate journey with Ohio State.
In contrast, defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. chose to forgo his senior year, announcing his entry into the NFL draft on December 30.
Sawyer’s exceptional performance didn’t go unnoticed, earning him recognition as Ohio State’s highest-graded defensive player according to Pro Football Focus, with an impressive grade of 89.9. His contributions to the team included 20 quarterback hurries and nine hits on opposing quarterbacks, all while maintaining a remarkably low missed tackle rate of just 7.4%.
Despite his outstanding achievements, Sawyer received second-team All-Big Ten honors in media voting and was named third-team by the coaches. His journey at Ohio State has seen him transition into a more specialized role as a defensive end this season, a move that proved to be a more suitable fit for his skillset.
It’s worth noting that Jack Sawyer entered Ohio State as the top-ranked recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, as recognized by 247Sports, cementing his place as a key player in the Buckeyes’ defense.
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