Jack Sawyer DE/EDGE Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jack Sawyer DE/EDGE Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.60 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.6 DOB: 05/06/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.60 seconds (93%*) | |
| Age: 22.6 DOB: 05/06/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 85.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Pass Rush: |
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88% |
| Run Defense: |
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96% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Early
Overall Rank:
#35
Position rank:
#8
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| College Games: 48 College Snaps: 1496 | ||
ESPN RATING: 91/100
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247 RATING: 99/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaelan Phillips - Miami |
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87% |
| Jermaine Johnson II - Florida State |
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85% |
| K.J. Henry - Clemson |
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83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jack Sawyer, a five-star recruit from Pickerington North High School in Ohio, was widely regarded as the top defensive end in the 2021 recruiting class. At Pickerington, Sawyer showcased his versatility by playing both defensive end and quarterback due to team injuries. His junior year ended with a torn MCL, and he opted out of his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enrolling early at Ohio State.
At Ohio State, Sawyer quickly made an impact as a freshman, recording 7 tackles and 4 sacks over 13 games. His sophomore season saw him increase his production with 22 tackles, 3 sacks, and 17 quarterback hurries across 12 games. In his junior year, he became a full-time starter, finishing with 49 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 9 quarterback hits in 13 games. He also earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from the conference coaches in 2022.
Throughout his college career, Sawyer's high motor and versatility stood out. He played both as a traditional defensive end and in Ohio State's hybrid "Jack" position. His stats include a total of 9.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks over three seasons.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Well-built and versatile, able to play both standing up and with hand in the dirt, showcasing flexibility in defensive schemes.
- High motor and relentless effort, consistently chasing down quarterbacks and running backs, never quitting on plays.
- Strong at the point of attack with solid leverage and hand placement, effective in setting the edge against the run.
- Explosive first step, capable of threatening the edge with speed and converting speed to power effectively.
- Displays a variety of pass-rush moves, including a strong bull rush and effective cross-chop move.
- Excellent contact balance, maintaining his path even when engaging with blockers, demonstrating impressive power and stability.
- Good discipline and patience in the run game, maintaining gap integrity and funneling runners back inside.
- Shows ability to extend and shed blocks, using length to lock out opponents and disrupt plays in the backfield.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Inconsistent hand usage as a pass rusher, often allowing offensive linemen to make first contact, reducing his effectiveness.
- Limited athleticism and quick twitch, impacting his ability to execute finesse moves and change direction swiftly.
- Shows stiffness when bending the edge, sometimes getting pushed past the pocket, which limits his effectiveness as a speed rusher.
- Occasional lapses in disengaging from blockers, sometimes letting them get into his pads and losing leverage.
- Average get-off speed, occasionally late reacting to the snap and not accelerating off the line as quickly as desired.
Scouting Report: Summary
Jack Sawyer is a high-motor defensive end with a solid blend of power and versatility, traits that NFL scouts value highly. His ability to set the edge and maintain gap discipline, combined with his explosive first step, makes him a disruptive force in the backfield. Sawyer's relentless pursuit and variety in pass-rush moves, including a potent bull rush, are assets that will translate well at the next level.
On the flip side, Sawyer's game has some clear areas for improvement. His inconsistent hand usage and stiffness when trying to bend the edge can limit his effectiveness as a pass rusher. Additionally, his average get-off speed and lack of quick twitch raise concerns about his ability to consistently win with finesse moves. These limitations suggest he may not be a top-tier sack artist but can still apply solid pressure.
As a projected first or second-day pick, Sawyer has the tools to develop into a dependable starter in the NFL. His strengths in run defense and ability to fit into multiple defensive schemes will make him a valuable rotational player from day one, with the upside to grow into a more prominent role.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Jack Sawyer (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.