if there is one player on this roster who I personally want to see get some Gold Pants, a B1G champ and a Natty its Jack F'n Sawyer...
“HE LOVES THE BUCKEYES.” Ohio State’s individual accolades and team accomplishments blind us to the fact that the Ohio State football program has… you know… people?... that represent it?
It’s strange. We can focus so much on stats and trophies that we fail to remember that the coaches and players inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center don’t use recognition as their sole motivator. Sometimes, what motivates a player is their love for being a Buckeye.
Jack Sawyer is one of them.
“Jack really embodies what it means to be a Buckeye,” Ryan Day said on The Ryan Day Radio Show on Thursday. “He loves his teammates. He loves this school. He loves the Buckeyes. He plays really hard out there. I know everyone is always saying guys come back for a reason and everything, but Jack has been that way.
“He’s had that look in his eye. He’s bringing guys with him. That’s what leadership is all about. It’s one thing just to do it, but you’ve got to bring guys along with you, and you’ve got to pull people with you. I feel like he’s doing that. He’s been strong in there. He’s had a great presence. In order to lead, you’ve got to be seen, but you’ve got to be felt as well, you’ve got to be heard. He’s doing all those things right now. He knows he’s got to be at his best just like the rest of these leaders.”
That's incredible – and accurate – praise.
This offseason, I talked a lot about Sawyer’s decision to return for another season at Ohio State. He and Cody Simon spearheaded the movement; Sawyer with the juniors and Simon with the seniors. Through 10 games, it’s clear that Sawyer and Simon are people and players the rest of the team looks on the defense. They’ll look to them again on Saturday against an Indiana team that ranks No. 3 nationally in points per game (40.2) and No. 16 nationally in yards per play (6.4).
Kurtis Rourke's nickname is “The Maple Missile,” Curt Cignetti is changing the culture of Indiana football and Jack Sawyer "embodies what it means to be a Buckeye."
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