Getting to Know Steelers OLB “Captain” Jack Sawyer
With the 123rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers did something that I didn’t see coming and drafted Jack Sawyer, EDGE from Ohio State.
The Steelers really fell in love with the midwestern boys this draft cycle as they added another product of the rust belt in Sawyer, who was born and raised in Pickerington, Ohio. He attended Pickerington North High School, and was ESPN’s number 1 recruit when he came out in 2021 and committed to THE Ohio State University. As a Buckeye, he had some controversial moments including being ejected from the Rose Bowl in 2022 for targeting, and participating in a fight after a game against Michigan last season. I, personally, love him getting involved in the dustup against Michigan, but that’s just me. If you choose to judge him for those moments, then sobeit; and maybe that’s why he fell to the fourth round, despite being recognized as a top 100 prospect and the widespread projections that he’d be a day two pick.
Before I even turn the tape on, Sawyer’s accolades read like somebody I want to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Captain” Jack was Ohio State’s team captain for the 2024 season, which obviously ended in College Football immortality with a 2025 National Championship win. In the 2025 Cotton Bowl, he secured the game-clinching forced fumble and fumble recovery, which he returned for an 83-yard touchdown, sending Ohio State to the National Championship, and earning him the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP award. He started all 16 games for the National Champion Buckeyes, finishing the season with 59 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 INT, and 6 PBUs. Captain Jack has also earned two second-team all-big ten honors for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Even with all that being said, I was pretty honest about my befuddlement regarding this pick immediately after the draft, and trading George Pickens later on indirectly made me even more confused, because there was guys like Elic Ayomanor available when you decided to add to, arguably, your deepest position group in the fourth round. It’s possible that Captain Jack was high enough on the Steelers’ big board that they couldn’t let him fall any further than 123rd. Another possibility is that the Steelers don’t want to be blindsided by the inevitable life-after-T.J. conversations that are going to happen probably every offseason until he retires or leaves Pittsburgh. Whatever the case, the Steelers have made it clear that they intend to field a top defense, and they valued Sawyer at that spot, so here we are.
I have to say, it’s been a pleasure watching some of these Ohio State games from last year and seeing the impact that Jack Sawyer had on that squad. One thing that struck me from the games I watched was that when the ball was on the ground, Jack Sawyer was nearby, whether that be forcing fumbles or recovering them for 83 yard touchdowns. As you can see in the play above, he’s able to flush NU’s QB out of the pocket, chase him down, and strip the ball from behind.
Here’s another example against Iowa. Sawyer absolutely deletes Iowa’s RT and punches for the ball while he brings down their QB. There’s no doubt that he’s been exceptionally well coached in his three years at Ohio State, and it shows up on this play. This looks like an NFL rep to me. A successful bull rush, head up, locate the QB, punch for the ball, wrap up. That’s what we want to see on Sundays.
This, to me, is how Captain Jack can be an instant contributor to our defense. Don’t get me wrong, I want him to have success as a pass rusher too, and with the talent he’ll be playing with, he’ll have his fair share of one-on-one opportunities to do just that. However, once T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith come off the field, our run defense suffers significantly. I LOVE me some Nick Herbig, but I think Captain Jack is going to bring a punch to the run game that Herbig just hasn’t shown he’s capable of bringing quite yet. This (above) is some nasty stuff on the goal line by Mr. Sawyer.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, I was initially apprehensive about this pick, especially with some notable holes at receiver and slot corner that haven’t been addressed. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t bring that same apprehensive energy with me when I turned on some Ohio State games to form my own opinion. However, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with what my eyes were telling me while I was watching him. He’s got a high motor. He plays with strength AND finesse. He was clearly a leader in the National-Championship-winning locker room. He’s a fuckin stud. And, we can argue up and down about whether or not the Steelers had the LUXURY of taking him with that pick when they did, but there’s no arguments to be made about the value of the player at 123rd overall. Welcome to the black and gold!
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