Steelers Ignore Penn State, Ohio State Clash

The Steelers did not send a scout to Saturday’s marquee Ohio State against Penn State clash in Columbus despite 20 teams attending with over 30 NFL scouts. While Pittsburgh usually likes to send scouts to big matchups, they often see the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes multiple times per year just because of the proximity of Columbus and State College to Pittsburgh. So, it’s not surprising, considering the Steelers have already seen both teams in person.

“The New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders will each have two or three representatives at Ohio Stadium on Saturday while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals will each have one,” Dan Hope, who wrote the article on the NFL scouts in attendance, said.

In early September, the Steelers saw top tackle prospect Olu Fashanu for the Nittany Lions for their home opener against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Penn State also has a handful of well-regarded defenders in cornerback Kalen King, edge rushers Chop Robinson and Aidsa Isaac, and linebacker Curtis Jacobs.

Ohio State needs little introduction, as Marvin Harrison Jr. is the headliner of that group. But others make plenty of NFL buzz, such as defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, safety Lathan Ransom, and others. Yet again, the Steelers have experience seeing these players, as they had a heavy presence for Ohio State pro day last year in Columbus. Pittsburgh has not drafted many players out of Ohio State in recent years but has dipped into the Penn State well. Joey Porter Jr. and Pat Freiermuth were both drawn out of State College in the last few drafts.