𝑶𝒉𝒊𝒐 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑩𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝑱𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑺𝒂𝒘𝒚𝒆𝒓, 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒂 $15𝑴 𝑵𝑰𝑳 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒍, 𝑹𝒆𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒂 $25𝑴 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒚 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒔: ‘𝑴𝒚 𝑳𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒚 𝑳𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑩𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 —𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑰𝒔 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆.’”…

Ohio State Buckeyes Star Jack Sawyer Signs $15M NIL Deal, Rejects $25M Offer from Kentucky: ‘My Loyalty Lies with Buckeyes — This Is Home.’

Columbus, OH — In a move that has both stunned and inspired the college football world, Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer has made headlines after signing a massive $15 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal—while turning down an even larger $25 million offer from the Kentucky Wildcats.

The 6-foot-4, 267-pound star has been a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ defense since arriving in Columbus, and his loyalty to the Scarlet and Gray continues to be unwavering. While the NIL era has opened the door to high-stakes financial opportunities for collegiate athletes, Sawyer’s recent decision proves that loyalty and legacy still hold tremendous value.

In an exclusive interview following the news, Sawyer addressed his decision:

“Yes, the money from Kentucky was real. But this isn’t just about dollars. My loyalty lies with the Buckeyes. This is home,” he said. “This program shaped me, and I’m not finished here. We’ve got unfinished business.”

The offer from Kentucky, which reportedly included a combination of endorsement deals, luxury accommodations, and long-term brand partnerships, would have made Sawyer one of the highest-paid players in college football. Still, the Pickerington, Ohio native said his heart remained at Ohio State.

Sawyer’s new $15 million NIL deal, while slightly less in value, aligns him with national brands and includes major promotional campaigns, exclusive appearances, and content collaborations. Industry insiders note that the deal is structured with long-term equity opportunities—making it as much a business partnership as a sponsorship.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day applauded Sawyer’s commitment.

“Jack’s not just a great athlete—he’s the kind of leader you build a program around,” Day said. “He embodies what it means to be a Buckeye.”

Fans and teammates alike have rallied around Sawyer’s decision, with social media buzzing over his loyalty and integrity. Many see it as a refreshing contrast to the trend of players jumping programs for financial gain.

With his eyes set on a national championship and a future NFL career, Sawyer’s decision sends a strong message: passion, pride, and purpose still matter in college football.

As Sawyer prepares for what could be his final season in Columbus, one thing is clear—he’s not just playing for money. He’s playing for legacy, for pride, and for the team he’s always called home.