Too many in the media throw around the term “can’t miss product” carelessly, even when it comes to Ohio State recruits. There really doesn’t seem to be such a thing. We should have learned our lesson by now with so-called high four and five-star prospects not quite panning out in college.
Still, there it is. If a guy is rated as one of the top prospects in recruiting circles, he gets tabbed an immediate contributor who has first-round NFL potential.
So it is with Pickerington North product Jack Sawyer. He’s been ranked by the major recruiting types as a five-star recruit. ESPN has him as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2021 class. Everybody else has him as a consensus top-five player.
“Can’t miss.”
But maybe in the case of Sawyer, the hype is real. According to coaches and -players, the 6-foot, 5-inch, 248-pounder has impressed since he’s arrived on campus as an early enrollee, and is continuing to improve during spring ball.
Praise from veteran coaches isn’t just thrown around, but defensive line coach Larry Johnson appears to be a believer in his work ethic and skill set. He believes he’s going to be a “special player” down the road.
Johnson said he likes where Jack Sawyer is right now. “He’s going to be a special player down the road."
— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) April 9, 2021
“I certainly like where he’s at right now — no doubt about that,” defensive line coach Larry Johnson told reporters. “Because he’s been here, he understands our system, and he’s playing really well. The thing I like about Jack, he’s a fierce competitor. He hates to lose. He wants to win every rep, and I love that about him.”
So much so, that Johnson has already gone on record, stating that Sawyer can help the team as a freshman.
“He doesn’t have to convince me. We’re gonna find a role for him. If he continues to work hard and do the things we’re asking him to do, we’ll find a place to play him,” Johnson said. “I’ve never been afraid to play freshman players.
“I think the most important thing is that when a kid feels like he has a role, he’ll work hard at it. And if I can give him a role early on and say ‘This is what I want you to do, and be the best at it,’ I think he’ll do that. And that’s what we’re gonna have to do to find a role for him as he goes forward, but he’s gotta earn it. That’s the biggest thing. He’s gotta earn that role. But we’ll find a role for him going forward, if he turns out what I think he might be down the road.”
And it isn’t just the coaching staff that’s seen some really good things from Sawyer. Zach Harrison knows what it’s like to come to college with a ton of hype. What he’s seen from Sawyer has been nothing but positive.
“I’ve been real impressed with Jack,” Harrison said. “Jack’s been getting better every day. He’s a sponge, he likes to be coached up, he asks questions, and he’s got a real God-given ability. He’s got good bend and explosiveness, so I think Jack’s going to be a special player around here.”
Both Tyreke Smith and Zach Harrison have been impressed by freshman DE Jack Sawyer. Harrison said he's like a sponge absorbing everything.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) April 9, 2021
Taron Vincent also joined the fray in providing some glowing remarks about Sawyer. He’s been impressed with how quickly Sawyer has picked things up since beginning workouts with the team.
“He’s picking up fast,” Smith said. “I think he’s gonna be a tremendous player. He came to the right program. Coach J, he’s gonna get guys where they need to be, but his just like technique and the flow of the game, he’s really picking up on it and he’s been doing really good. Every day, I feel like he gets better. His rushes and he’s just getting stronger as a player and as a person, so I think he’s doing really good.”
Remember, Sawyer was one of the first two freshmen to lose his black stripe so soon in spring ball, and that has to say something. There’s still a long way to go, but so far, he’s showing coaches and players alike that he fits the culture and persona of other superstar defensive ends that have come through the program.
“It’s still early,” Larry Johnson said. “Want to wait and see as we get into the fall, as we go through spring and summer workouts. But I certainly like where he’s at right now in his development.”
Ohio State football 2021 projected depth chart, pre-spring defense
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