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Jack Sawyer reveals he will root for Jim Knowles' success at Penn State

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/26/25•

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Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. (Pickel/BWI)

Jim Knowles won his first national championship at Ohio State and within a matter of days, he was out of the program. Multiple teams were interested in hiring Knowles as their next head coach but ultimately, Penn State won out. He will be staying in the Big Ten but with one of Ohio State’s top competitors.

Watching a coach leave for a direct rival can sting but Jack Sawyer is still going to cheer for Knowles. As long as Penn State is not facing Ohio State. Sawyer had nothing but a beaming review of his now-former defensive coordinator when recently speaking. There is still a bond there.

“I think he’s bringing the smarts,” Sawyer said. “Obviously, he’s done it now at the highest level, won a national championship with us, and helped us get to where we want to go. I know he’s going to do the best he can at Penn State. Obviously, I’ll still always root for Ohio State but I will definitely root for Coach Knowles and his success because he’s been a huge part of our journies.

“Great guy, great guy to play for. He’s always going to be my DC so wish him nothing but the best. But that one game, every year, I’m rooting for the Buckeyes. Look forward to seeing that matchup.”

For the first time in a long time, Ohio State and Penn State do not have each other on the schedule. Due to Big Ten expansion, there’s no guarantee of a matchup between the two besides being one of the conference’s top matchups. The 1992 season was the last time OSU-PSU did not take place.

The Big Ten Championship is still certainly an option. Heck, we were one Penn State win away from a meeting in the College Football Playoff national championship last season. Certainly, a goal Knowles will have with the Nittany Lions moving forward.

Sawyer is hoping to find success in a new arena too. He is currently going through the 2025 NFL Draft process, as his quote came from the NFL Combine. A splendid senior season at Ohio State is one Sawyer will remember forever but the immediate goal is to get his professional career off and running.

Finding success at the Combine could raise Sawyer’s draft stock. You have to imagine Knowles will be cheering for him throughout the journey as well, reciprocating the feeling Sawyer has on the DC’s future.