Sports fans like to breathe subjective hypotheticals more than objective reality. But what if reality is so incomprehensible it feels like make-believe? Picture this. You’re a top-3 highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football. At a perennial contender, a blueblood program synonymous with success. You’re not a spring chicken either, and you’re on the wrong side of 50, so familiarity and job security ideally take precedence over change and uncertainty. Oh, and you’ve just helped said blueblood end a decade-long drought of winning the Natty? Surely, leaving doesn’t even cross your mind. Turns out it does if you’re a certain Jim Knowles. In light of his abrupt move from Ohio State to B1G competitor Penn State, Knowles’ former defensive lynchpin, “Captain” Jack Sawyer, has sounded out his sentiments as he ascends to the NFL. As well as expressing his feelings towards JK’s successor in Columbus, Matt Patricia.

Defensive tackle Jack Sawyer epitomizes what it means to be a Buckeye. He’s a Columbus, OH, native and boyhood fan who’s got scarlet blood coursing through his veins. Having played essentially his entire collegiate career under Knowles, Sawyer holds him in high esteem—despite the poor semantics of how he left the program, firing verbal shots at OSU. After all, Knowles did help propel Sawyer toward being a national champion. The cult legend that Jack Sawyer is in and around the program; his take on Knowles holds weight. Similarly, how he thinks new DC Matt Patricia will pick up the mantle at the defending champs also won’t fall on deaf ears. Sawyer’s words for Coach Patricia imply that he’s spoken to players and contacts within the program about him.

In the aftermath of Ohio State’s Pro Day, Jack Sawyer was asked, “What would be the benefit” of losing Jim Knowles and bringing in Matt Patricia? Since Patricia comes over from years of experience in the NFL, he’s bringing a different perspective and player to the Buckeyes defense. Almost the entirety of his career coaching in the pros came in New England under Bill Belichick. Honing your craft behind the greatest defensive mind in football history sure has to rub off. HC Ryan Day sure will hope some of Belichick’s acumen permeated through to Patricia via osmosis. With all this baked into the equation, Sawyer has a fairly positive outlook toward the direction this defense will traverse in.

“The guys seem to be loving Matt Patricia… Coach Patricia seems to be doing a great job. [The players] are fired up about the scheme they’re playing,” said Jack Sawyer. There was some friction between D-line coach Larry Johnson and Jim Knowles regarding Knowles’ scheming and personnel grouping. Which was a factor in why he left Ohio State. Seems like Patricia and Johnson are on the same page for now. “Obviously, you know, we wish Coach Knowles nothing but the best. That’s our guy, won a Natty with him!” continued Sawyer. Him still referring to the Buckeyes as “we” is a nice little detail. Sawyer proceeded to say what his ex-teammates are “loving” about Coach Patricia.

“The guys are excited about Patricia. He’s doing great stuff, seems to be a good coach. They’re loving a little bit of a change-up on a couple of different things he brings to the table,” remarked Sawyer. That final bit does denote that we may see a more pro-style defense at the Shoe next season. Well, Patricia’s lost the leadership and pass-rushing ability of Sawyer. Albeit he does have arguably the best defensive player in the sport in his secondary in Caleb Downs. 

It’ll be fascinating to see how Coach Patricia translates to the collegiate level as he takes over the No. 1 defense of 2024. He’s got his work cut out in week 1 itself, with Ohio State hosting Texas in the opener. But that’s still farsighted, and there’s work to be done before fall. Speaking of which, Jack Sawyer’s own future in the NFL seems to be trending fairly close to home. The apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree, eh?

Jack Sawyer reveals he’s visiting an NFL franchise that presents a dream scenario

Jack Sawyer is etched into the annals of Ohio football after one particular play during the ‘24 CFP run. Harp back to the Cotton Bowl. The game began like every Ohio State playoff game had up to that point—with them dominating. An empty position on defense, followed by a TD for a quick 7-0 lead. What transpired there on out was a testament to Texas’ resilience. They kept the OSU juggernaut at bay right until the 4th quarter. A fateful set of downs at the 1-yard line became the biggest moment of Sawyer’s young career. 

The Longhorns called a convoluted jet sweep instead of trying to run and punch it in to make it 21-21. They ended up losing yardage. 3rd and relatively long was stopped, and then 4th down resulted in a Sawyer strip sack for an 83-yard house call in the opposite end zone. Sending OSU to the Natty. Jack Sawyer didn’t just snatch the football from his ex-roommate, Quinn Ewers. He captivated Ohio natives across the state. It’s got to be baked into why in-state Cincinnati Bengals are weighing him up as a draft prospect. Amid extensive reporting of their interest, it’s now been confirmed via the man himself that he’s headed down to their facility next week. The Bengals will be Sawyer’s very first team visit.

Bengals’ star defensive end Trey Hendrickson was seemingly leaning towards an exit. However, news around him has flipped from a potential trade piece to a potential new contract. A partnership on the line of scrimmage with Jack Sawyer sounds like a daunting prospect for quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson sure would hope this isn’t what transpires over at the Ravens’ AFC North contemporaries. Given the Bengals just hired Al Golden from Notre Dame to be their new DC, there are legs to why he’d want them to draft Sawyer. Having scouted and then seen him up close and personal in the Natty. Alas, there’s still a long way to go until draft night. But the first domino in Sawyer staying home in Ohio is imminently falling next week. Wouldn’t that be poetic?