Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie EDGE rusher Jack Sawyer spoke to the media about how his previous QB experience helps him on the defensive line.
**PITTSBURGH–**If there’s one thing Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers love in prospects, it’s versatility. The Steelers’ fourth-round pick Jack Sawyer spoke to the media on Thursday. He credited his high school quarterback experience to helping him develop his game as an EDGE rusher.
In 2019, Sawyer played quarterback at Pickerington North High School as a junior. When he spoke to the media on Thursday, he told reporters the experience helped his EDGE development.
When asked about that experience, Sawyer expressed it was fun but said, “My home is at defensive end and outside linebacker… That was very apparent … [we called] a lot of QB powers–wasn’t a whole lot of throwing the ball, but that was fun.”
From the sounds of it, Sawyer wouldn’t quite be an emergency quarterback for the team. However, the biggest takeaway was a new perspective.
Sawyer confirmed this when asked if that helped his development. “I think, you know, seeing it from the offensive side of the view … being at quarterback and feeling the rush a little more … [seeing] from a different view and understanding what they are feeling.” Sawyer said of using his experience at QB to play the EDGE.
His experience might remind Steelers fans of the defense’s leading superstar TJ Watt. Watt also played quarterback during his sophomore year at Pewaukee High School.
Sawyer has a long way to go to reach the level of Watt’s dominance, but his strong ability to set the edge will help him get into the rotation. While he won’t be taking any snaps in Pittsburgh, his experience at quarterback could help him in the long run.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: History at QB a Pass-Rush Superpower for Steelers Rookie Jack Sawyer
