Four-time member of American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
SAWTELLE’S CAREER HIGHS
Tackles 13, at Illinois (9/15/18)
TFL 2.5, vs. Elon (9/1/18)
Sacks 1.0, 3X, last at Illinois (9/15/18)
FR 1, 3X, last vs. Georgia Tech (9/8/18)
INT 1, 2X, last vs. Georgia Tech (9/8/18)
2018: Started all six games he played in at middle linebacker, missing the last seven contests of the year due to a neck/shoulder injury…was leading USF with 7.5 tackles for loss (finished fourth) and was second with 42 tackles at the time of his injury…had four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack in the season opener against Elon (9/1)…tallied five tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery against Georgia Tech (9/8)…had a career high 13 tackles at Illinois (9/15), while adding two tackles for loss and a sack…the 13 tackles against Illinois were also the second-most for a USF player in 2018…registered seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss against both ECU (9/22) and Tulsa (10/12)…tallied six tackles at UMass (10/6)... member of American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
2017: In his first season as a starter, ranked fourth on the team with 54 tackles (34 solo), along with 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a QB hurry in 12 starts… made six tackles against Texas Tech in the Birmingham Bowl (12/23)...made a career-high 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss at UConn (11/4)… previously set his career high of 10 tackles with a sack against Stony Brook (9/2)… made six tackles and intercepted a pass in the season opener at San Jose State (8/26)... member of American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
2016: Emerged as the backup at the “WILL” linebacker position… posted 16 tackles in 11 games, including a career-best four stops against Towson (9/3)…registered at least one tackle in seven games this season…recovered his first fumble in the season opener against Towson (9/3)... member of American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
2015: Member of American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
JENSEN BEACH HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star recruit, Sawtelle posted 132 total tackles and 12 sacks as a senior on the way to Florida All-State Class 6A Third-Team honors…racked up 154 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a junior… also received offers from Central Connecticut State, Colgate, FIU, FAU, Southern Illinois.
PERSONAL: Born June 13, 1996 in Stuart, Fla....the son of Lisa and Mike Sawtelle...a four-year honor roll student...involved in community service – Meals On Wheels, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Relay For Life and fostered dogs...has a younger brother, Makai, and two younger sisters, Kiana and Naiya...father, Mike, wrestled at West Virginia...mother, Lisa, played volleyball and ran track at Hillsdale College...named to the USF Athletics Honor Roll in fall 2017, spring 2018 and fall 2018...selected to the 2017-18 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team...earned his degree in December 2018.