Ohio State junior defensive end Jack Sawyer announced Friday that he will be returning for his senior season at with the Buckeyes instead of declaring for the NFL draft.
Sawyer is coming off both his best season and best individual game in three seasons at Ohio State. He posted 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 13 games – all team highs – including three sacks in Ohio State’s loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, tying a program record for sacks in a bowl game.
While he could have left for the NFL draft, projected as either a second- or third-round selection, he will have the chance to boost his stock with another season at Ohio State. Sawyer is the second of the Buckeyes’ defensive lineman to announce their returns, including defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.
“You know, I think a lot of us all are on the same page about we don’t want to end our Ohio State careers like this,” he said after the Cotton Bowl. “Two tough losses. We all love it here. We love Coach (Ryan) Day. We love the staff. And sometimes, unfortunate things happen, and you don’t get the outcome you want. And I think it’s going to play a big decision and big factor in our decisions.”
Ohio State is still awaiting a decision from fellow defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau on the defensive line, and several other defenders such as cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock. Should Tuimoloau depart, the Buckeyes would still be in a solid position considering the return of Sawyer, as well as defensive ends Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. returning for their third seasons.
