The Pittsburgh Steelers put together a very interesting draft. While they didn’t take a quarterback as early as expected, waiting until the sixth round to bring in Will Howard, they made other big-time moves before that selection.
One of the more intriguing additions was former Ohio State standout pass rusher Jack Sawyer.
Sawyer, who was one of the heroes of the College Football Playoff for the Buckeyes, will now look to help T.J. Watt with pressure off of the edge. So far, he is making a major impression on the Steelers and his new teammates.
With OTA’s underway, Sawyer has been given a chance to show his new teammates what he can bring to the team. He has already started making them take notice of his ability.
Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh’s veteran linebacker, spoke out with major praise for Sawyer. He likes what he’s seeing from the rookie defender.
“He’s gonna be a dog for us,” Highsmith said. “He’s got his right head on his shoulders and he works hard. Like I said, he’s got the right mindset. It’s been cool being able to interact with him and help him out. I came in as a rookie, and T.J. [Watt] and Bud [Dupree] helped me out a lot, as well. That’s one thing I want to be able to pour into the new guys that are coming in.”
Two things can be taken from that quote. Number one, Sawyer could provide an instant impact for the Steelers. Secondly, Highsmith has become a major leader for the defense and will be very helpful for young players.
Of course, the rumors surrounding Pittsburgh on the offensive side of the football have not died down. Aaron Rodgers still has yet to sign a contract and the quarterback situation is a complete question mark.
Even with Rodgers onboard, the Steelers would need a great defense to compete in the AFC. They seem to have put that defense together well.
During his college career at Ohio State, Sawyer played in four seasons and 54 total games. He racked up 144 total tackles to go along with 23 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns, one interception, and 11 defended passes.
There is no question that Sawyer has the talent to become a special player at the NFL level. Already, he’s starting to show that potential, and his teammates are clearly taking notice.
