Payton Wilson Likes Rookies Will Howard and Jack Sawyer Coming From ‘Successful Tradition’

If you happen to requested the Pittsburgh Steelers what their favourite school soccer convention was in 2024, there’s a superb likelihood they’d say the Massive Ten. Pittsburgh used practically all of its draft alternatives on gamers from the convention. Two of these got here from Ohio State in QB Will Howard and EDGE Jack Sawyer.

These two achieved so much collectively final season, serving to the Buckeyes win the nationwide championship. Coming into an unsettled quarterback room in 2025, Howard brings that successful mentality with him, which is one thing Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson likes as he advised Beanie Bishop Jr. in a video just lately posted to Bishop’s YouTube channel.

“Yeah, you [Steelers] decide a quarterback a little bit later,” Wilson mentioned. “However I like the thought of Will Howard. Will Howard comes from a successful tradition, like they received a nationwide championship, which I don’t assume could be very straightforward to do. Particularly as like, the chief of that crew, like solely being there one 12 months and seeing what he dropped at that crew was cool.”

As a quarterback, it’s exhausting to win a nationwide championship with out being a superb chief. That’s precisely what Howard did final season, and it’s one of many causes the Steelers are so excited to have him of their constructing. It wasn’t all nice, as Howard and the Buckeyes suffered brutal losses to each Oregon and Michigan.

But, they had been in a position to sneak into the School Soccer Playoff anyway, and that’s when Howard actually turned issues on. Ohio State beat Tennessee, demolished Oregon, and squeezed out wins in opposition to Texas and Notre Dame to win all of it.

Now, Howard enters an attention-grabbing QB room in Pittsburgh, to say the least. Aaron Rodgers is predicted to signal with the Steelers, however we’re practically midway via Could, and there’s no dedication but. If he doesn’t signal with Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph would doubtless be the starter. Nonetheless, it’s not exhausting to think about how shut Howard can be to enjoying significant snaps this 12 months, if something had been to occur to Rudolph.

Howard’s earned some reward from Mike Tomlin, however there’s solely a few rookie minicamp practices within the books. He’s not the one Ohio State alumni who brings that successful mentality to Pittsburgh, both. Jack Sawyer is one other former Buckeye Wilson is excessive on.

“I met Jack Sawyer immediately, looks like he’s bought a superb edge to him,” Wilson mentioned. “And he additionally comes from [Ohio State] too. You gotta love the picks once they’re coming from nationwide championship groups.”

Sawyer isn’t any stranger to large performs in large moments, both. Throughout the semifinal in opposition to Texas in January, in a detailed recreation late within the fourth quarter, Sawyer got here up with an enormous strip-sack. He scooped up the unfastened ball and took it the home to ice the sport.

It’s not clear how large of a task Sawyer could have in his rookie 12 months. He ought to be within the rotation, although, and he provides Pittsburgh extra depth on the sting. That’s an space the place the Steelers have had some accidents in recent times. Sawyer and Wilson could have an opportunity to get to know one another significantly better, every enjoying in related spots on the protection.

On the finish of the day, neither Sawyer nor Howard was chosen with excessive draft picks. On condition that, neither ought to have the very best of expectations heading into their rookie season. Nonetheless, each Howard and Sawyer know the right way to play effectively when the lights are the brightest. These are invaluable qualities to have within the locker room, and one thing Wilson appreciates as effectively.