Buckeyes' Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Clarifies Jack Sawyer's Position

After having Jack Sawyer cross-trained at both the JACK and defensive end position, Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles told the media where the junior will play in 2023.

The Ohio State Buckeyes finished up the first day of spring practice on Monday with media availabilities with head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who is heading into his second season with the Scarlet and Gray. 

During his press conference Monday, a talking point was rising junior defensive lineman Jack Sawyer. Sawyer, the former No. 5 overall prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, and where he fits into Knowles' defense. 

"Jack will be an end with J.T. and he'll work on all those fundamentals of being an end," Knowles said. "I think that's important for Jack. I feel like he didn't have the improvement or the big jump that he could have last year because he got involved in the Jack stuff and maybe he wasn't as focused as he could have been to make those improvements at D-end. So I want to make sure I keep him at D-end opposite J.T."

Sawyer finished the year tied for the lead on the team in sacks with 4.5 but didn't find the overall success that the coaching staff was looking for out of the sophomore. Moving him to full-time defensive end is a move that is supposed to help simplify his role. 

The big difference between playing as a defensive end or JACK linebacker position in Knowles' multiple front defensive system, is where and how Sawyer is asked to play off the edge. As a standard defensive end, he will be asked to have his hand in the dirt and predominantly stay on one side. 

While at JACK, his positioning can vary on a play-by-play basis, based on what the offense is showing and having him stand up at the line of scrimmage. 

This move will allow Sawyer to get back to what he did in high school and was recruited to Columbus to do as the Buckeyes hope to be more disruptive upfront.

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