Columbus Native Jack Sawyer Was the Hometown Hero on the Game-Sealing Play That Sent The Buckeyes to Atlanta. 

The Defensive End Cemented Himself As a Buckeye Legend Friday Night in Dallas

Growing up as a die-hard Ohio State fan, you always remember where you were when big plays took place. Whether the plays were good or bad, you associate different plays, players, games, teams, and more with different memories and places.

But imagine being one of those people who dreams of making a monumental play for your hometown team, and then you go out and do it. That is exactly what Pickerington-native Jack Sawyer did in the Cotton Bowl to help send the Ohio State Buckeyes to the National Championship game. Buckeye Nation will remember where they were and who they were with when Sawyer ran through Dallas and broke Texas’ heart.

The former Pickerington North Panther made one of the greatest plays in Buckeye football history, in what felt like a full-circle moment for the talented defensive end. Ohio State has a very rich history of talented players especially at the defensive end position, and Sawyer is just another testament to that. He has consistently shown what it means to be a true Buckeye.

Making Plays in The Scarlet and Gray

Jack Sawyer has been making plays for the Buckeyes all season long, and that monumental moment was more than deserved. Sawyer is up to 56 total tackles, nine sacks, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and an interception in his final season as a Buckeye.

In the last month and a half, he has had some of his biggest moments on the biggest stages. Starting with the rivalry game against TTUN, his interception late in the game should have been one of the more iconic moments in recent memory. A devastating loss in that game made people forget about the play a little bit, but that game sparked a fire in everyone, with Sawyer being at the forefront.

Sawyer then had five total tackles and one and a half sacks, adding two passes defended, in the 42-17 demolition of Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff. He followed that up with two total tackles and two sacks, adding three passes defended, against a talented Oregon offense in the Rose Bowl.

Then came the last game, when he rose to the occasion yet again. The Columbus-bred defensive lineman registered three total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, and added a pass defended. On top of all that, he ran the fumble that he forced 83 yards to the house to build the Buckeyes’ lead up to 28-14 with just over two minutes remaining in the game. He sacked his former roommate who used to be a buckeye on the play, just adding to the fairytale ending for Ryan Day’s team.

The former two-sport star at Pickerington North showcased his elite skill set on that play, not only beating his man and stripping the ball but scooping it up in one motion and returning it nearly the length of the field for the score. In his postgame interview, he noted that he blacked out on that run. When asked about how he feels to be a Buckeye legend, he said he just wants to win a National Championship. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Chasing History With One Game Remaining

Jack Sawyer was one of many players, especially along the defensive side of the ball, to announce he would return for some unfinished business. While the team wasn’t able to win the rivalry game or a Big Ten championship this year, the big goal is still in sight.

While every player would tell you the team goal is most important, it is nice to hear your name mentioned with the greats. Sawyer is currently tied for 6th on the program career sacks list with Eric Kumerow at 23. Two sacks would move him into a tie for 5th with Matt Finkes, and three sacks would tie him for 4th with Joey Bosa.

Sawyer also has nine sacks on the season as mentioned earlier, and a one-and-a-half sack performance against Notre Dame would move him into a tie for 10th place for the program’s single-season sack record. His teammate JT Tuimoloau currently sits in a tie for 7th with his 11.5 sacks this season. JTT is also currently tied for 8th for the career sack record with Sawyer slightly ahead of him by half a sack.

Sawyer, Tuimoloau, and the rest of the Silver Bullets will look to get after the Fighting Irish offense Monday night and help bring the coveted trophy back to Columbus. In a season filled with big moments, it only feels right that Sawyer finished the job against Texas and might be the one to do it again versus Notre Dame.