How Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau and the rest of Ohio State’s defense graded for the 2025 season
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State reloaded its defense for the 2024 season while adding some key pieces and it produced the nation’s best unit.
The Buckeyes ranked first in yards allowed per play (4.19), tied for sixth in passing yards allowed per attempt (6.0), second in rushing yards allowed per attempt (2.65) and first in points allowed per game (12.9).
That dominance started up front with defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau especially late in the year when the two finally tapped into the potential they arrived with as five stars.
Tuimoloau ended the year with 61 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and a Big Ten’s best 12.5 sacks along with three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and 51 pressures. His 12.5 sacks are the first 10-sacks season by a Buckeye since Chase Young in 2019 and the fifth most ever in a single season by a Buckeye. He ended the year with a Pro Football Focus grade of 86.1.
Sawyer recorded 59 tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine sacks, seven pass breakups, 64 pressures and a Big Ten’s best three forced fumbles. He recovered three of those fumbles, twice going for scoop-and-scores. But none were bigger than his 83-yard score against Texas sending OSU to the national championship game. Those stats earn him a 90.6 grade, the highest oof any Buckeye on either side of the ball.
