Ohio State’s X-factor against Notre Dame isn’t Jeremiah Smith or Will Howard

Ohio State is poised for the title game after a 28-14 win over the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. And one of the players they have the most to thank for that is defensive end Jack Sawyer.

Everyone knows who the Buckeye players love at quarterback Will Howard and Jeremiah Smith they are, but Sawyer could be the X-factor to watch for Ohio State. While he mostly flew under the radar, Sawyer essentially put the nail in the coffin on every chance Texas had to win the game.

That happened when he fumbled his former roommate, Texas quarterback Quinn Evers, returning it for a game-high 83-yard touchdown that made the game 28-14. Ohio State will then take care of the business of sending them on their way last game of the season.

“Quinn was my roommate when he was here,” Sawyer said in an interview with ESPN after the game. “So me and Quinn, we have a good friendship, and I’m excited to play against him. He’s a great player, he had a great year, he had a great career at Texas.”

He continued, telling ESPN reporter Holly Rowe in the same interview that Evers said, ‘Fuck you.’ That’s my boyfriend”, as he left the field.

At the time, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said that Sawyer “became a legend.” Moments like those that define the legacy of the Buckeyes, of which Sawyer is now a big part. Day said as much to Sawyer’s mother, Michelle Sawyer, after the game.

Now he’ll look to replicate that type of performance — and build on it — as Ohio State prepares to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on college football’s most prestigious stage.

Here’s a look at everything you need to know about Sawyer ahead of the national title game.

Ohio State DE Jack Savier Stats

Jack Savier completed the Cotton Bowl with three combined tackles, one solo, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed. While he didn’t finish atop the stat sheet in this game or anywhere incredibly close to it, the film shows exactly how effective he was in key moments.

And, even just looking at the numbers, it’s clear that he’s made the grade in some of the most important categories. Sawyer enters the CFP National Game with 56 combined tackles (24 solo), nine sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception and six passes defensed. Statistically, his best game of the season came in a 31-7 win over the Northwestern Wildcats in November, when he totaled seven combined tackles, two of which were solo, with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Looking specifically at the postseason, Sawyer collected 10 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and seven pass breakups.

Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer Recruiting Profile

The 6-foot-5, 248-pounder was originally listed as a 5-star recruit by 247Sportsone of the highest-rated players in the class of 2021. He was listed as the No. 6 player in the class of 2021, also listed as the No. 4 overall defensive line prospect and the No. 1 to Ohio State.

Ohio State holds a special place in Sawyer’s heart, as he is a Columbus native who played his high school career at Pickerington North High School in Pickerington North, Ohio.

Here’s a look at Sawyer’s pre-college scouting report, via 247Sports. He was last rated by Alain Trier from the network.

“Physically assembled layouts.” He took weight and speed training seriously and it showed. He probably won’t add tons and tons of weight in college, but he still has some room. A great multi-sport athlete and a multi-position guy on the football field, including even some running backs at quarterback,” Trieu wrote.

“As an end, that athleticism comes through when he gets off the ball well and can turn the corner and get back downfield.” He’s also strong enough to anchor against the run and has the blue-collar mentality to work in the trenches. He can run away when he gets away from him and give him a hard chase. A real strong side with enough versatility to play on multiple fronts or schemes. A high-level prospect who is ready to come in and compete as a freshman at the college level and has the traits of a future high draft pick.”