Jack Sawyer's high school football career is over.
The five-star Ohio State defensive end commit announced Friday that he has decided to opt out of his senior season at Pickerington North High School as he turns his attention toward enrolling early at Ohio State and potentially playing for the Buckeyes in the spring.
Thankful for the awesome 3 years playing for Pickerington North. See you soon #BuckeyeNation. pic.twitter.com/mC09WDWcTJ
— Jack Sawyer (@jacksawyer40) August 14, 2020
“After extensive discussion with my parents and coaches regarding the uncertainty of this high school football season and the probability of a spring collegiate season, I have decided to focus on training and preparation for my early enrollment at Ohio State,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer becomes the fifth member of Ohio State's recruiting class of 2021 to announce he will not play his senior year of high school football, joining TreVeyon Henderson, Jordan Hancock, Sam Hart and Evan Pryor. Henderson, Hart and Pryor are also planning to enroll early and high school football in their states has already been postponed to the spring, while Hancock opted out due to concerns about COVID-19 and his parents' medical conditions.
As of now, the state of Ohio appears set to open its high school football season in two weeks, with a final decision on high school football expected to come from Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday. Sawyer, though, is a potential instant impact player for the Buckeyes who could have a legitimate chance to play in the spring if midyear enrollees are allowed to play, giving him reason to preserve his body for a potential spring season after his junior year at Pickerington North ended with a torn MCL.
