Going into Jim Knowles’ first season as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, he expected the Jack position to be a significant part of his defense. By the end of the season, it was eliminated from the defense almost entirely.
Jack Sawyer and Javontae Jean-Baptiste both saw semi-regular playing time in the hybrid linebacker/defensive end role during the regular season, but neither of them made many noteworthy plays from that alignment. In the final game of the year against Georgia, Sawyer played just one snap at Jack while Jean-Baptiste didn’t line up in that spot at all.
While the hybrid edge defender was a major element of his defensive scheme at Oklahoma State, Knowles said the position never developed the way he hoped it would in his first year with the Buckeyes.