Jack Sawyer Has Violent Power

Ohio State defender Jack Sawyer is a powerful man. He has the kind of brute weight room strength that can move grown offensive linemen.

He’s strong.

When I say defender, that’s only because the Buckeyes moved him around from the defensive end position. Predominately, he matched up against the right tackle but did also see some action against the left tackle.

He spent about half the time standing up and most of the rest of the time with his hand down in the dirt.

Sawyer was stationed at middle linebacker for a couple of reps.

They even dropped into short zone coverage twice in this block of game film.

He was a real handful for blockers.

Battering ram

To me, he seemed most effective standing up off the edge. However, he could pack a punch with his hand down in the dirt as well. Part of me envisions him as a middle linebacker in a 4-3 defensive scheme (four down defensive linemen and three linebackers). Another part of me could see him as either inside or outside at linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme (three down defensive linemen and four linebackers).

He’s that versatile.

Sawyer is a pure football player who could have played in any era (even the throwback days when they wore leather helmets)

The only two things that limit this defender as a pass rusher are his average one-gear playing speed and the visible tightness in his hips that shows up when he attempts to make quick adjustments in the pocket. Outside of that, this guy is hell on wheels.

Sawyer battles and fights and uses his hands exceptionally well at times to get to and through the back door. He can also bullrush an offensive tackle right back into the quarterback’s face.

Run defense

This Ohio State defender is just as interested in stopping the run as he is in getting to the quarterback.

While he is inconsistent in disengaging from run blocks, he also showed he can power his way through them and make devastating stops.

He also flashed the ability to be able to extend his arm out at the point of attack (creating separation from the blocker), which enabled him to make the tackle.

High motor

That’s what I wrote in my notes.

It’s a regular thing to see him chasing the quarterback when he’s flushed and it’s common to see him hunt down running backs and receivers on short screens and make crushing tackles.

He doesn’t quit.

That moves the meter. A team at the next level can win with Sawyer. This is exactly the kind of prospect that adds to championship-level chemistry.

Steelers or Ravens?

I would not be surprised to see the Steelers (my first thought) or the Ravens select Sawyer in the 2024 NFL Draft.

This is exactly the type of pure football player they want on their teams (as a linebacker).

Sawyer is a rough-and-tumble smashmouth defender who never quits.

Needless to say, he won me over.

#33 Jack Sawyer 6-foot-4, 265 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 27.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 28, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): Wisconsin, Maryland, Penn State, and Iowa (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 24 tackles (10 solo), 4.5 sacks, 1 pass defended

Note (ohiostatebuckeyes.com): Third-most tackles-for-loss with 6.5 for minus-24 yards

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Stout and physical three-down defensive lineman and gets after it like the game of football is important to him. Average get-off. Looks a little robotic coming off the snap but then plows into the tackle or double teams with authority. Lumbering brute power. Violent collisions. Blood-thirsty. Inconsistent quick hands to win the edge. Flashed fast spin inside. Mostly, a no-frills power rusher who desires to collapse the pocket. More of a sheer-will-pressure guy than a sack artist. Against the run, he is strong at the point and will fight blocks. Sometimes plays outside contain. Makes blow-up wrapping tackles.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Pass rush moves?

2. Sack and pressure production?

3. Quick first step?

4. Disengaging consistently in the run game?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.