How a high school quarterback became an NFL linebacker
In short: Jack Sawyer’s path to the Pittsburgh Steelers was anything but linear. After stepping in as a high school quarterback due to injuries, he transitioned through defensive roles at Ohio State before being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. His journey from Pickerington to the professional stage is a remarkable tale of versatility.
Born on May 6, 2002, in Columbus, Ohio, Jack Sawyer’s athletic trajectory was defined by sudden shifts in responsibility. While he initially played as a backup tight end for Pickerington High School North, he transitioned to defensive end to bolster the Panthers' defense. However, injuries to teammates forced him to take over as the team's starting quarterback during his junior year. Acting in that capacity, he threw 1,056 yards through 79 of 135 completions and nine touchdowns, plus 386 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
His defensive prowess eventually took center stage at Ohio State. After recording 62 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and six sacks during his second year, he selected the Buckeyes over elite teams like Michigan, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma. His collegiate career was marked by high-stakes moments, including a fumble return touchdown in the 2025 Cotton Bowl against Texas that helped secure a victory, and a Rose Bowl win in 2022, though he was ejected from that game for targeting Utah's Cameron Rising.
Sawyer's college defensive output was impressive, totaling 144 tackles, 29 for a loss, 23 sacks, one interception, and six forced fumbles. Such performance led the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft him 123rd overall during the 2025 NFL Draft's fourth round. In his professional debut season, he has already recorded a sack against Sam Darnold and an interception against Shedeur Sanders, establishing himself as a key depth piece for the Steelers' linebacker corps.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jack Sawyer
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