For Jack Sawyer, there’s no better home than the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a defense that operates under similar principles as his Ohio State unit did, Sawyer raved about the “fit” of his new NFL team for him. Speaking to reporters after the team made him its fourth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sawyer is ready to help the Steelers’ pass rush.
“I love the defensive scheme,” Sawyer said via the PPG’s Ray Fittipaldo. “Those guys are great players. I’m going to come in and learn from them.”
“I’m excited to come in and learn from them and see how they go to work. Like I said, just add value in any way or shape or form I can to the organization and to the city and to the team,” Sawyer said in audio provided by the team.
Sawyer will join a Steelers outside linebacker group that is already three deep with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Like Watt and Herbig from Wisconsin, the Ohio State defense creates an easier projection to how its players will fit into Pittsburgh. A more “pro-style” scheme with solid coaching and roles similar to how Sawyer will be used coming off the edge with the Steelers. Sawyer was effective at Ohio State, setting a career-high with nine sacks in 2024 as the Buckeyes captured the national title.
Herbig wasted no time learning from Watt and Highsmith, picking their brains daily. Attend any training camp practice and Herbig was practically attached to Watt. It’s made him an effective and promising rusher, recording 8.5 sacks in two years with Pittsburgh despite primarily coming off the bench.
Though EDGE wasn’t seen as an immediate need, it’s a position the Steelers like to keep well-stocked. Injuries depleted the unit in 2024 when Herbig and Highsmith suffered early-season injuries, leaving the team scrambling to add outside replacements. Jeremiah Moon is currently the team’s No. 4 outside linebacker but has been most effective on special teams, an underdeveloped pass rusher who shouldn’t be counted on for long stretches.
Like Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson, Sawyer is a smart scheme fit for Pittsburgh’s defense. On Day 3 of the draft, teams are looking for good fits and quality depth. Pittsburgh’s done both with Sawyer.
