Pittsburgh Steelers select Jack Sawyer in 4th round of 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected former Ohio State EDGE rusher Jack Sawyer in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After a prolific tenure with the Buckeyes, he’s now set to begin his pro career after being selected.

Sawyer spent four seasons in Columbus with the Buckeyes, steadily increasing his production each year he was on campus. He recorded career-high numbers across the board with 59 total tackles (25 solo), six pass breakups, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Sawyer scored two touchdowns this past season.

In total, Sawyer compiled 144 total tackles (68 solo), 23 sacks, 10 PBU’s and six forced fumbles during his time with the Buckeyes. He earned Second-team All-Big Ten this past season, and third-team honors in 2023. In 2022 as a sophomore, Sawyer was tabbed as an all-conference honorable mention despite only starting in three games for Ohio State.

Moreover, he was a key piece to the Buckeyes defensive effort this past postseason. Sawyer compiled 4.5 sacks and 6 pass breakups during Ohio State’s four-game playoff run to the national championship.

He provided what became the game-winning touchdown against Texas in the national semifinal, scoring on an 83-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter after causing and recovering a fumble following a sack fellow draftee Quinn Ewers. For this, he earned Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP honors.

Before college, Sawyer was a Five-Star-Plus+ recruit, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 4 player in the 2021 recruiting class.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jack Sawyer

Now that Jack Sawyer has been drafted, fans may be wondering what to expect from their new EDGE rusher. NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein provided his analysis of the former Buckeyes star.

Zierlein: “Dense-framed, even-front defensive end whose game is built for power but not speed. He has short arms and slow power to neutralize and overcome run blocks. However, he lacks a quick-win first step or twitchy stack-and-shed move. He locates the football and racks up tackles when runners near his gaps.

“He’s a force-based rusher using strong hands, a relentless motor and a pocket-caving charge to run up pressure totals, but his rush lacks quickness. He could see more interior rush opportunities for shorter trips into the pocket. Sawyer is suited for box-based football, which could cap his pro ceiling, but his demeanor, toughness and activity level provide a higher floor.”