Ohio State Buckeyes legends Will Howard and Jack Sawyer reunited together in Pittsburgh.
In the heart of Pittsburgh, two familiar faces have come together again—this time not as collegiate stars, but as rising professionals on the NFL stage. Will Howard, the poised and athletic quarterback, and Jack Sawyer, the relentless edge rusher known for his brute strength and tactical finesse, have reunited under the steel skyline. Their journey, rooted in scarlet and gray, speaks to the enduring bonds forged at Ohio State University—a powerhouse of both friendship and football excellence.
Their reunion is more than a headline for Buckeye fans—it’s a celebration of grit, leadership, and legacy. These two athletes once led one of college football’s most formidable programs and now find themselves donning black and gold, not for rivalry, but for brotherhood.
To understand the significance of this reunion, one must look back to Columbus, Ohio, where both players earned their stripes.
Though Will Howard began his college football career at Kansas State, his legacy was cemented at Ohio State. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound quarterback made a high-profile transfer to Columbus, seeking to elevate his game under the brightest lights in college football.
Howard’s arrival sparked speculation. Could a transfer really command an offense steeped in tradition and led previously by names like Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and Dwayne Haskins? It didn’t take long for Howard to prove the doubters wrong. Possessing a cannon for an arm and a cool demeanor in the pocket, Howard brought both leadership and physicality to Ryan Day’s offense.
In his lone season as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback, Howard led the team to a 12-1 record, including a thrilling victory over Michigan, snapping a losing streak that had weighed heavily on the program. His play-action efficiency, red-zone composure, and ability to make big-time throws under pressure won over fans and NFL scouts alike.
But it wasn’t just his stats that made Howard a Buckeye legend—it was his presence. He commanded the huddle with the poise of a fifth-year senior, mentored younger players, and represented the team with class. By season’s end, he was a team captain and the undisputed leader of the offense.
While Howard came from the outside, Jack Sawyer was born for Buckeye greatness. A five-star recruit out of Pickerington, Ohio, Sawyer was long hailed as the next elite pass rusher in the Bosa-Chase Young lineage. He committed to Ohio State as a high school junior and quickly made his presence known once he set foot on campus.
His first few seasons saw flashes of brilliance, but it was in his junior and senior campaigns that Sawyer erupted into a full-blown star. Pairing strength with agility and technique honed through film and repetition, Sawyer became a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. In his final year, he recorded 13.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and forced four fumbles—numbers that placed him among the nation’s best.
What set Sawyer apart was his versatility. Ohio State’s defensive coordinators frequently moved him along the line, exploiting mismatches and collapsing pockets with devastating speed. But beyond the stat sheet, Sawyer was a leader in the locker room, a motivator on the sideline, and a student of the game who lived for the Buckeye tradition.
He left Columbus not just as a decorated defender, but as a figure etched into Buckeye lore.
Following their college careers, both Howard and Sawyer declared for the NFL Draft. Their journeys to the league were unique, reflecting their different roles on the field.
Howard entered the draft as a bit of a wildcard. Though only one year at Ohio State, his mechanics, size, and leadership intrigued several franchises. Analysts often compared him to a more mobile version of Joe Flacco—big-bodied, poised, and calm under pressure.
He was selected in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise known for its defensive tradition but eager to find a consistent quarterback to lead its new era. Howard wasn’t expected to start right away, but his performance in training camp was undeniable. Quick decision-making, a deep ball that split defenses, and a natural chemistry with his receivers pushed him up the depth chart.
By midseason, Howard had seized the starting job. His growth was rapid, and Pittsburgh began to believe they’d found their quarterback of the future.
Sawyer’s draft experience was more predictable. Projected as a late first or early second-rounder, his combine performance only solidified his stock. Measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds with a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, he wowed scouts with his blend of athleticism and power.
The Steelers, needing an injection of youth and energy on the edge, selected Sawyer in the first round, pairing him with T.J. Watt to form one of the most fearsome edge duos in the NFL.
From day one, Sawyer delivered. He brought not just sack totals, but disruption—tipped passes, hurried throws, and tackles in the backfield that flipped games. Pittsburgh fans embraced him as a blue-collar warrior in the mold of franchise greats like Joey Porter and James Harrison.
While both men found their way to the Steelers at different times, fate—or perhaps the sharp eye of Pittsburgh’s front office—reunited them in a city equally passionate about its football as Columbus.
Their reunion has not only made headlines but has ignited a new era of Steelers football. For Buckeye fans, it’s a dream scenario: two program stalwarts, now playing side by side again, but this time with Super Bowl aspirations.
On a personal level, the bond between Howard and Sawyer runs deep. Though they played on opposite sides of the ball, their time at Ohio State forged a friendship rooted in shared goals, rigorous training, and the pressure of expectation.
In Pittsburgh, that relationship has only strengthened. They often speak in interviews about film sessions that run late into the night, training routines that push each other to new heights, and a mutual respect that transcends position or background.
There’s something magnetic about seeing two Buckeye stars thrive at the next level, and for Howard and Sawyer, it’s more than nostalgia—it’s brotherhood. In pregame warmups, they’re often seen joking around. During games, they celebrate each other’s successes like true teammates. After a clutch Howard touchdown or a critical Sawyer sack, they meet at midfield with a high five that feels almost ritualistic—like two warriors sharing a secret bond.
Their presence in Pittsburgh has also reenergized the city’s sizable Ohio State fanbase. Red jerseys and Buckeye leaves can be spotted throughout Acrisure Stadium on Sundays, as Buckeye Nation rallies behind its own.
It’s rare for a quarterback and edge rusher to impact each other’s performance directly, but Howard and Sawyer push one another during practice. Their intra-squad battles in training camp have become legendary among beat reporters, with Sawyer challenging Howard to release the ball faster and Howard countering with no-look throws that evade the rush.
This internal competition has made both better—and the Steelers benefit.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has praised the duo repeatedly. “They bring a championship mindset,” he said in a press conference. “They’ve won at the highest level of college football, and now they’re bringing that same discipline, energy, and leadership to our locker room. And let me tell you, they’re just getting started.”
Both Will Howard and Jack Sawyer have long careers ahead of them, but their legacy is already being written. At Ohio State, they were leaders and legends. In Pittsburgh, they are becoming cornerstones.
Their story resonates not just because of their talent, but because of their resilience. Howard bet on himself with a transfer and flourished. Sawyer overcame early growing pains to become a dominant force. Together, they embody what it means to evolve, adapt, and rise.
Their reunion is also a reminder of how college football shapes lives beyond the field. The lessons they learned in Columbus—discipline, teamwork, excellence—now guide them on the professional stage.
In a world of fleeting sports narratives, the story of Will Howard and Jack Sawyer stands out for its authenticity. Two Buckeyes—one a transfer, one a hometown star—now reunited in Pittsburgh, not as rookies looking to find their place, but as leaders ready to shape the future.
Their journey from Columbus to the Steel City serves as an inspiring chapter in the evolving legacy of Ohio State football. And while they now play in black and gold, their hearts, no doubt, still beat with a bit of scarlet and gray.
