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The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Jack Sawyer, an outside linebacker from Ohio State, in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 123rd overall pick. The Steelers didn't have a glaring need at this position, but they felt the talent available at that spot was too good to pass up. Sawyer, known for his explosive pass-rushing ability and strong defensive presence, adds depth to the Steelers' linebacker corps.
Sawyer joins a talented group of outside linebackers in Pittsburgh, with the opportunity to learn behind two of the league's top pass rushers, TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. This environment offers Sawyer the chance to develop his skills under the guidance of proven veterans, ensuring a strong foundation for his career. The Steelers believe his future is bright.
During an episode of the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, Roethlisberger expressed his high expectations for Sawyer. While he’s not rushing the young player’s progress, Roethlisberger firmly believes that Sawyer will become a star in the league. With a combination of strong mentorship and his own talent, Roethlisberger predicts Sawyer will eventually reach those lofty heights.
"That dude [Jack Sawyer] has every potential to be a captain on this team," Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast. "Dude is gonna be good, I think."
Roethlisberger recently welcomed Sawyer and his college teammate and now professional teammate, quarterback Will Howard, to his podcast. The two former college stars, now Steelers draft picks, shared their excitement about joining the black and gold.
Roethlisberger matched their enthusiasm, expressing how thrilled he is to see players of their caliber land in Pittsburgh. He believes Watt and Highsmith can play a big role in helping Sawyer thrive at the next level.
"And I think it's gonna be great, because he's going to get to learn behind some studs," Roethlisberger said. "Maybe the greatest to ever play the game in TJ [Watt], Alex [Highsmith], who's a high-motor, high-quality, high-character guy that is a really good football player as well... I think it's awesome to see the lineage, right? The pass of the baton. At some point, TJ has kind of passed it to Alex. In terms of respect, from TJ to Alex, I think that's been earned. And it will be fun to watch the evolution of Jack in that role as well."
Both Sawyer, a fourth-round pick, and Howard, selected in the sixth round, played key roles in leading OSU to the 2024 National Championship. Their leadership, toughness, and championship experience stood out throughout their college careers. Now, they bring that winning pedigree to a Steelers team that values grit, discipline, and big-game experience.
Roethlisberger praised their mentality and approach, noting that their transition to the NFL will be made easier by their time at a powerhouse program like OSU. With their bond already established and their resumes loaded with success, the Steelers are hopeful these two can be valuable additions as they begin their professional journey in Pittsburgh.
Roethlisberger believes both players bring genuine passion and excitement about joining the Steelers and embracing the team’s culture. He noted that while many players tend to say all the right things when they arrive in the NFL, there was something different about Sawyer and Howard. Their energy felt real and, as he put it, contagious.
Steelers May Have Hit 2 Home Run's With Sawyer And Howard
That level of enthusiasm stood out to Roethlisberger, who has seen plenty of young players enter the league. He made it clear this wasn't just typical rookie talk. He could sense a true desire to be part of the organization and to contribute to its success. Their mindset and approach impressed him right away.
For Steelers fans, that should be a promising sign. These two late-round picks, who played key roles in the Buckeye's national championship run, may offer more upside than most expected. With their proven winning mentality and strong first impression, they could turn out to be valuable additions in Pittsburgh.
More must-reads:
- Mets' playoff chances in jeopardy after latest tough loss
- Tennessee's groundbreaking Adidas deal a game-changer for college sports in NIL era
- The 'MLB franchise home run leaders' quiz
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Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs’ 1-word reaction to Team’s RB Flex Before Colts Clash
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Tennessee's groundbreaking Adidas deal a game-changer for college sports in NIL era
The Tennessee Volunteers are going back to Adidas as its primary apparel provider after a decade of wearing the Nike swoosh. On Wednesday, Adidas announced a $100M, 10-year deal to be the exclusive apparel provider for the school's sports teams. The deal is set to begin on July 1, 2026, following the expiration of the current agreement with Nike. On the surface, it's just another apparel deal between two popular brands, but in the era of NIL (name, image and likeness) in college sports, it's a game-changing agreement. As part of the agreement, Adidas will establish a fund for NIL deals between the University of Tennessee and student-athletes. The German-based company will provide Tennessee with at least $10 million annually for the NIL deals, which, as of now, is about half of the $20.5 million that schools participating in the revenue-sharing model are allowed to give directly to student-athletes. That figure will almost assuredly increase with each passing year, meaning both current and future Tennessee Volunteers will benefit directly from this deal. Adidas will aim to make top student-athletes brand ambassadors by giving them national marketing campaigns and signature shoe lines. With NIL deals becoming a centerpiece of how college athletic departments attract top recruits, this deal is a bellwether for how apparel deals will be renegotiated across the world of college sports. Of course, at the center of this deal is football, as it remains the most popular sport in the country. According to The Athletic, the Volunteers' football program is estimated to be valued at $1.37B, the ninth-highest valuation in college football. It's only natural, then, that Adidas wants to get its logo back on Tennessee football jerseys. Adidas sponsored the team for 20 years before the university switched to Nike in 2014. While some fans were hoping Tennessee would re-up their partnership with Nike, fans who remember the 1998 National Championship team will probably feel good seeing the Adidas logo on the jersey again. Adidas also sweetened the deal by providing assurances that Tennessee athletics can design its apparel in-house, in collaboration with the company. Aside from nostalgia and big business, Tennessee and Adidas both know that for the school to remain one of the top programs in the country, they'll need star recruits. Before the ascendance of NIL deals, recruiting top talent was a mix of promising top-of-the-line facilities and flaunting the pedigree of the program. NIL money has changed that equation and already impacted Tennessee. In April, star quarterback Nico Iamaleava shocked the school by not reporting to spring practice and transferring to UCLA. Reports suggested part of the disagreements between Iamaleava and the school was over his NIL deal. How Iamaleava plays this season will make Tennessee wonder if it should've allocated more NIL money to keeping him happy. If that's the case, it's safe to wonder if Tennessee will tap into this deal as much as possible to keep future stars away from the transfer portal. This deal with Adidas certainly opens new doors for athletes to maximize their branding and will test the NIL distribution system over the next decade. Expect these types of deals to become the norm, too, as universities seek every competitive advantage against one another.
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