Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers rookie Jack Sawyer shares why just being around T.J. Watt is going to make him a better pass rusher in Pittsburgh

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 7:37 PM ET

If you're Jack Sawyer, you're a rookie who just got thrust into the best three-man pass-eush unit in the league.

There is a lot you can learn from Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith, and T.J. Watt.

And according to Sawyer, he's doing just that...

Jack Sawyer is soaking in all the info he can

"It’s awesome. No better guy you want to learn from," said Sawyer in regard to Watt. "He’s been great. Good guy off the field, too. To be able to learn from him and see how he attacks every day, whether it’s on the field or off the field in recovery. It’s been great for me already . . .

" . . .Trying to learn as much as I can from T.J. and those guys. Nick Herbig has been great, Alex Highsmith. They’ve all been super good with us young guys. Helping us elevate our growth and continuing to take steps in the right direction.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by A to Z Sports Steelers (@atozsportssteelers)

What's important here is that Sawyer is watching the way Watt does the little things. Sure, you can go out there and study and learn the way Watt uses his hands and how he manipulates offensive tackles. But a lot of the speed to power, bend, and burst that makes Watt so great is God-given talent.

That means Sawyer has to study the details. The fine print. What does T.J. Watt eat? How long does he spend stretching and warming up? What is his post-practice routine in terms of recovery, both physically and mentally?

Because even for Watt, a player with some abnormal athletic traits and gifts, he wouldn't have come within a sack of breaking the record for most ever in a single season. It's all the little things that separate Watt.

And if Jack Sawyer is to follow in his footsteps, it's going to be all the little things for him as well.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: