Ohio State Football: Jack Sawyer is ready to emerge
As the Ohio State football team continues to have spring practices, defensive end Jacks Sawyer is ready to emerge.
The Ohio State football team held its second scrimmage of the spring yesterday and it appears that this defense is ready to step up in 2023. The defensive line in particular got rave reviews from media and coaches alike that were in attendance.
But it’s one defensive lineman in particular that might be ready to have a break-out 2023 campaign. Former five-star and Columbus area native, Jack Sawyer is ready to have a big season for this Ohio State defense.
Moving back to defensive end from the ‘Jack’ positions a season ago, Sawyer is ready to get his hand in the dirt and attack the quarterback, like he was brought here to do. Defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles had this to say about his progression, via Eleven Warriors:
"“Jack is getting better every day,” Knowles said. “I think that move and staying out of that package this spring has been really good for Jack. He gets to focus on the fundamentals with Coach Johnson, and I really like his progress.”"
It’s not like Sawyer had a bad 2022 season. He had 4.5 sacks to go along with 24 tackles, but Sawyer was out of position and never felt comfortable. His role diminished as the season went along as his snap count decreased in the second half of the year. Sawyer said this last week when he had media availability:
"“I’m just excited to get back to playing defensive end where I feel at home.”"
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It’s great to see this talented player back at his natural position. The former top-five national recruit in 2021 was brought here to be coached by Larry Johnson to cause havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Now he can lock in on just that and I would expect his sack numbers and overall play to increase in 2023.