Jack Sawyer: 'Another shot at The Team Up North' played role in Ohio State return

Growing up just outside Columbus, Jack Sawyer knows just how important The Game is each year. He saw Ohio State rattle off 10 straight victories over rival Michigan before he joined the Buckeyes roster in 2021.

Since he stepped on campus, though, Sawyer has been on the wrong side of those games. Michigan has won the last three matchups against Ohio State, including the 2022 game at The Shoe. After the latest loss, Sawyer had a decision to make since he was eligible for the NFL Draft.

Ultimately, he chose to return for one more go-round. Part of the reason he did so was to, at long last, beat “The Team Up North.”

"Having a chance to come back and get another shot at The Team Up North, at home this year, it couldn't have lined [up] any better."

Just days away from his final season in Columbus, @jacksawyer33 knows he came back for a reason. @OhioStateFB | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Ow8X0laSt8

— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) August 21, 2024

“For me, growing up in Columbus, living 15 minutes down the road growing up, it wouldn’t have sat right with me leaving with another opportunity to go at those guys up north and go reach a national championship with the guys that I love and for Coach Day and for the city,” Sawyer told SiriusXM College at Big Ten Media Days.

“For me, it was really simple. In my heart, I knew I wanted to come back before I even announced it – a long time before I even announced it. Having a chance to come back and get another shot at The Team Up North at home this year, it couldn’t have aligned any better. I’m excited for that and excited to run it back with the guys that came back with me.”

Ohio State came close to bouncing back against Michigan last year at The Big House. It came down to the final drive, but a Kyle McCord interception sealed the Wolverines’ third consecutive victory – their longest such streak since the 1990s.

But the Buckeyes reloaded in a huge way this offseason and are generating plenty of buzz. Ohio State returns plenty of production, led by running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, along with Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau on defense.

Day and the staff also added plenty of star power prior to the season. Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins and Will Howard are all coming aboard from the portal, while No. 1 overall recruit Jeremiah Smith enters as a highly touted freshman receiver.

That blend of new and returning talent is leading to plenty of preseason hype. Ohio State enters the 2024 season as the No. 2 team in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, and On3’s J.D. PicKell ranked them in that same spot in his preseason rankings. It all gets started next week when the Buckeyes take on Akron.