The Pittsburgh Steelers have done something they do often in recent years, and that is double-dipping not at a position but at a college. There are times when you take more than one player from a school, and the Steelers did it twice in the 2025 NFL Draft.

They drafted two Iowa Hawkeyes in Kaleb Johnson and Yahya Black, and they took two Ohio State Buckeyes.

But the Steelers didn’t just draft two Buckeyes, but they drafted two leaders who are ready to put their own unique stamp on the Steelers roster starting in 2025.

“It’s awesome,” said Sawyer, who was selected in the fourth round. “I guess I’m speaking biasedly, but Will is everything you want in a quarterback. He’s confident, but super nice and super outgoing. People gravitate towards him in the locker room. He’s a great athlete. He’s a competitor. He is a winner.

“And he is such a great guy too. We became really close friends over the short year he was at Ohio State and the things we were able to do together on the field. I was joking around with someone that when he got picked after me in the draft, the people at my place yelled louder for him than they did for me. So that just speaks to how much people love Will and the type of guy he is and the character he has.”

When it comes to these two teammates at Ohio State, even if it was only for one season, they realize how special it is for them to continue their friendship, and careers, together at the next level.

“It’s so surreal,” said Howard. “We talked about this. I remember speaking with, and I don’t even know if it was Jack, but one of my Buckeye teammates, and I just talked about there’s so many of us that were draft eligible, just give me one on the team I go to. It could not have worked out better. I love all my teammates, and I would have been happy for it to be anybody, but me and Jack in the Steel City, I think it’s a match made in heaven.”

How special are these two Buckeyes? Will Howard’s first call after hearing from the Pittsburgh Steelers brass was to none other than Jack Sawyer.

“I think he was the first call I made after I got off the phone with Omar (Khan), Coach (Mike) Tomlin, Mr. (Art) Rooney and everybody,” said Howard. “It was awesome. It was such a cool conversation that we were able to have. It was a special moment for both of us to realize we’re about to do this thing together.

“I’m just really blessed that I’m getting to do this with one of my brothers. Obviously, it’s great to meet everybody else and I can’t wait to build relationships with the new guys, but it is fun to be able to do this with a guy I love and care about like Jack.”

These two players carry a bond from college to the professional level, and that isn’t something which can be underscored.

“It was definitely a unique moment, having someone I consider my brother, who we’ve done some great things at the college level, get drafted by the same organization, and get to start my journey with him in the same spot,” said Sawyer.” I think it’s something really unique, and something cool. It’s something we talked about leading up to the draft and how awesome it’d be if we went to the same spots together. It’s going to be good to have each other to get through our first year and always have someone there that we have known, and be able to help him whenever he needs it and vice versa. It was a special moment talking to him and his family after he got drafted.”

Will these two Ohio State players be able to take the Steelers to the next level? That has yet to be seen, but the bond they carry to the Pittsburgh Steelers is both unique and undeniable.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the offseason, OTAs, Mandatory Minicamp and training camp.