NFL scouts have descended upon Minneapolis in droves to watch Ohio State's first game of the season.
A total of 31 representatives from 21 different NFL teams have press box seats at Huntington Bank Stadium for the Buckeyes' season opener at Minnesota on Thursday night.
The San Francisco 49ers are leading the way with five representatives attending the game, while the New York Giants are slated to have three representatives in the press box and the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans will each have two in attendance.
Other teams that will have representatives at the game include the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Football Team, Las Vegas Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals.
It's unsurprising that Thursday night's game is drawing such a large contingent of NFL scouts, given that it is the biggest game of the night and the first opportunity to watch Ohio State this season after NFL scout travel to games was limited by COVID-19 last season.
The Buckeyes, of course, are loaded with players who could be 2022 NFL draft prospects including wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, defensive ends Zach Harrison and Tyreke Smith, offensive linemen Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere, tight end Jeremy Ruckert, defensive tackle Haskell Garrett and defensive backs Sevyn Banks and Josh Proctor.
Minnesota also has a solid group of players who should garner looks from NFL scouts on Thursday night including running back Mohamed Ibrahim, an offensive line full of seniors including massive right tackle Daniel Faalele, defensive end Boye Mafe and quarterback Tanner Morgan, among others.
