College Note - Ohio State Jack Sawyer

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Where is Jack Sawyer? The former five-star recruit never really took that Year 2 jump some may have anticipated. His raw numbers were fine for a player who was third on the OSU defensive end hierarchy - 24 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 4.5 sacks on 329 snaps - but there was never that big moment we saw from guys like Michael Hall Jr. and J.T. Tuimoloau. Sawyer arrived as a guy known for getting after the passer and when he's been asked to do so he's shown flashes of his upside. The problem is that his second year was spent splitting time between continuing his development as an edge rusher while also learning a new position in Jim Knowles' defense. The intrigue with the Jack and what it could be once turned into a Leo is part of what made the Knowles' hire noteworthy. The problem is we never really saw that come to fruition in 2022 and it's fair to question if that's a result of Sawyer possibly not being the best fit. "It can definitely present problems being able to show different fronts, which I think is key to what the Jack does," Sawyer said before the Sugar Bowl. "But I also feel like we can be really effective in just our base front getting after guys." Sawyer is coming into Year 3 expected to start alongside Tuimoloau. Does that mean he spends less time at the Jack, or could we see that role become a bigger part of the defense now that he's been learning it for a year? - Cleveland Plain Dealer

---

Other Recent Stories

Frank discussion on top QB prospects with Panthers head coach: Is it revealing?    With all eyes on the NFL Draft that begins April 27, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich is On The Clock with the first pick in the 2023 player lottery. ... read the full story

Shh, listen: Hear the NFL's quarterback frenzy getting even crazier   The NFL's hyperactive quarterback scene was turbocharged the last two days at the Owners Meeting in Phoenix and elsewhere, not only by what was said, but by what ... read the full story

Pro Day tracker for top 2023 quarterbacks Despite reservations about the realistic value of Pro Day shows, NFLDraftScout.com dutifully tracks these hyped events for your edification. For our perspective ... read the full story

Pro Daze: NFL's annual traveling circus is less than advertised Updated March 30, 2023    Etiquette probably dictates that some subjects should be introduced by first saying, with all due respect.     So, there it is.     Now. ... read the full story

Latest Player Notes

Ohio State Mitchell Melton
Mar 09, 2023: Defensive lineman Mitchell Melton has been medically cleared to participate in individual drills for Ohio State during spring ... read full note

Texas Quinn Ewers
Mar 09, 2023: Every position is open for the Texas Longhorns this spring. Every player will earn his starting role. For that reason, Quinn ... read full note

Texas Tech Cade Briggs
Mar 09, 2023: Backup offensive lineman Cade Briggs, who played in two games last season, was removed from the Texas Tech roster on Tuesday. ... read full note

Washington Dylan Morris
Mar 09, 2023: Dylan Morris came under heavy criticism as the starting quarterback for the Washington Huskies during their 4-8 season in ... read full note

South Florida Gerry Bohanon
Mar 09, 2023: Almost three months to the day after his hiring, new USF coach Alex Golesh staged the first spring practice of his tenure ... read full note

Washington Edefuan Ulofoshio
Mar 10, 2023: On the first day of his last year of college football, Edefuan Ulofoshio was back in the middle of it all Monday morning ... read full note

Washington State Isaiah Paul
Mar 10, 2023: Two months after joining Washington State's football team, Isaiah Paul is heading back to the portal. The senior linebacker, ... read full note

Southern California Eric Gentry
Mar 10, 2023: Linebacker Eric Gentry will miss all of spring practice following ankle surgery last month, Riley said. Gentry suffered a ... read full note

Ohio State Jack Sawyer
Mar 07, 2023: Where is Jack Sawyer? The former five-star recruit never really took that Year 2 jump some may have anticipated. His raw ... read full note

Colorado Cormani McClain
Mar 07, 2023: Getting two of the best young cornerbacks in the country to come to Boulder was the first step. Now, the Colorado coaches ... read full note