JS #33

Jack Sawyer

Linebacker · Ohio State

An Ohio State national champion whose signature moment, an 83-yard fumble return touchdown against Texas, capped a decorated Buckeyes career.

Jack Sawyer arrived in Pittsburgh as a fourth-round pick after helping Ohio State win the national championship, joining former teammate JT Tuimoloau as the second Buckeyes edge rusher off the board in the 2025 draft. His rookie season was more about paying dues in a rotational role than headline numbers.

★ National champion, Ohio State, 2024 season

★ Second-team All-Big Ten, 2023 and 2024

★ 20 career sacks at Ohio State

Path to the league

Sawyer spent four years at Ohio State and was a key piece of the Buckeyes' 2024 national championship run. The Steelers drafted him with the 123rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Sawyer finished his Ohio State career with 138 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 20 sacks and six forced fumbles, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2023 and 2024. His signature play came in the 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas, when he strip-sacked quarterback Quinn Ewers and returned the fumble 83 yards for a touchdown.

2025 season recap

Sawyer played all 17 games as a rookie, splitting time between defense and special teams while recording 34 tackles, one sack and four passes defensed, including two interceptions. His first career sack came in Week 2 against Seattle, and he added interceptions in Week 9 versus Indianapolis and Week 17 at Cleveland.