📄: Fourth Round: Jack Sawyer | 📸: Jack Sawyer in pictures | 📺: Pick Announcement | 📃: How Sawyer fits with the Steelers | 📃: What to like about Sawyer | 📺: Tomlin calls Sawyer | 📺: Austin on Sawyer | 📺: Welcome to Pittsburgh
In the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft (pick 123) the Steelers selected outside linebacker Jack Sawyer of Ohio State.
A 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher, Sawyer recorded 23 sacks in his four-year career at Ohio State, including nine in 2024 when the Buckeyes won the national championship. Sawyer, 22, also had 59 tackles, including nine for a loss, and seven pass defenses as well as three forced fumbles and an interception.
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round pick Jack Sawyer
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, top, runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, bottom, during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) is hit by Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Ohio State defensive lineman Jack Sawyer plays against Michigan during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rushes during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind. Ohio State won 41-7. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) passes under pressure from Ohio State's Jack Sawyer (33) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Michigan offensive lineman Trevor Keegan blocks Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer lines up during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer, top, sacks Missouri quarterback Brady Cook during the second half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Ohio State's Jack Sawyer (33) is seen pre-game against Marshall before an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Over the past three seasons at Ohio State, he saw his pressures improve every season, from 22 to 37 to 64. His sack total also increased each year, going from 3 to 4.5 to 6.5 to 9.0.
A power rusher off the edge, Sawyer is as talented getting to the passer as he is stopping the run, something that was important to the Steelers. He was credited with 28 run stops in 2024 according to Pro Football Focus.
He also showed a knack during Ohio State's run to the national championship of making big plays in big moments. Six of his seven batted passes and five of his sacks in 2024 came during the college bowl series.
With the Steelers, Sawyer gives the team a power pass rusher to pair with fellow backup Nick Herbig behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, something they had in the second half last season following their trade deadline acquisition of Preston Smith from Green Bay.
One thing the Steelers couldn't get out of the 32-year-old Smith, however, was special teams play, a must for a backup linebacker. Sawyer is expected, like Herbig, to be a big contributor on special teams.
Even though he was a starter and team captain at Ohio State last season, he continued to play on some special teams packages for the Buckeyes in 2024.
Sawyer also proved to be very durable in the collegiate career, never missing a game while also finishing his career with 29 consecutive starts.
