The Thanksgiving weekend clash between Ohio State and Michigan doubles as a showcase for NFL scouts, with the Big Ten rivals fielding some of the nation's most coveted talent for next spring's draft. This year's matchup is particularly stacked: two legitimate candidates to be selected in the top five, including the current favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Each prospect profiled below projects as a potential first-100 pick, though several marquee names won't crack this list. Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin, both Ohio State sophomores, already project as future first-round picks but remain ineligible until 2027. Michigan running back Justice Haynes, eligible for the upcoming draft, is sidelined Saturday following foot surgery.

10. Rayshaun Benny, Michigan, DT | 6-4, 305, SR

A Jim Harbaugh-era holdover, Benny fought for his starting role and earned it. He has never lost to Ohio State across 53 college games—a streak he'll defend Saturday.

He won't generate eye-popping statistics, but Benny delivers the goods where it counts: power, reliability, and serious upper-body strength as a two-gap run-stopper. The kind of blue-collar prospect who might wait until Day 3 before launching a decade-long NFL career.

9. Max Klare, Ohio State, TE | 6-5, 243, JR

A transfer portal victory, Klare arrived from Purdue with 51 receptions in 2024. He's now third on the Buckeyes in catches this season behind only Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate—a critical role given his fellow pass-catchers' injury concerns heading into Michigan.

In a thin tight end class, Klare's size-speed-body control combination will intrigue NFL scouts. He moves fluidly for his frame and catches reliably, though he occasionally fields passes into his pads rather than away from his body. A standout performance Saturday could push him into mid-round consideration.

8. Caden Curry, Ohio State, Edge | 6-3, 260, SR

Curry's calling card is versatility: off the edge, on the nose, special teams. An instinctive, passionate playmaker who scouts consistently favor, his increased playing time this season—following JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer's departures—has unleashed explosive production.

After posting 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last year, Curry leads the Big Ten with 13.5 stops behind the line, including nine sacks. He's compact but explosive off the snap with refined hand-fighting technique and genuine desire to beat his man. He lacks elite top-end speed to threaten the corner, but his burst and counters are refined. Curry entered the season on scouts' radars; his play has secured Day 2 conversation.

7. Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State, CB | 6-2, 195, SR

The long-levered Igbinosun divides evaluators sharply. His allowed catch rate ranks among the nation's best—11 forced incompletions and just 15 receptions allowed (zero touchdowns) according to PFF. But he's grabby with the ball in flight. Only three flags in 2025, though NFL refs may penalize his eagerness more harshly than college officials.

A former freshman All-American at Ole Miss, Igbinosun has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors each of the past two years. His traits and starting experience warrant top-50 consideration, but he lacks the ball-hawking instincts first-round corners need—he's converted just two of 27 career passes defensed into interceptions.

6. Lathan Styles, Ohio State, LB/S | 6-2, 220, SR

Another polarizing Buckeyes prospect, Styles is a former safety-turned-linebacker whose greatest strength—positional versatility—troubles NFL evaluators unsure where he fits in the pro game.

Styles is a four-year contributor still just 21 years old with proven academics and charity work credentials. He finished second on last year's national title team in tackles and currently leads Ohio State with 62 stops. A remarkably fluid athlete, he'll almost surely stand out at the Combine.

He's the ultimate chess piece: equally likely lining up at traditional linebacker, rushing the passer, covering receivers, or playing nickel corner. That upside and off-field profile warrant top-20 consideration. Critics counter that Isaiah Simmons—a similarly talented swiss-army knife prospect drafted No. 8 overall by Arizona in 2020—is no longer in the NFL, suggesting jack-of-all-trades prospects don't always translate.

5. Derrick Moore, Michigan, Edge | 6-3, 260, SR

Pass rushers always command NFL interest, and Moore ranks among this class's elite. What he lacks in size, he compensates with violence and technique variety—speed, agility, power, and technique all weaponized to beat blockers.

Voted team captain, Moore has elevated his 2025 game to another level. He enters Saturday with a career-high 9.5 sacks—more than double the next-best Michigan defender. He's not a true speed demon off the edge but anticipates snaps crisply, possessing burst and bend to turn the corner. Strong, active hands and good core flexibility let him slither through traffic. Best of all: he finishes with authority, delivering knockdown hits.

Moore projects as second-round talent, though his position's value and this year's relatively lean draft class could elevate him into Day 1.

4. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, DT | 6-3, 326, JR

McDonald is one of Ohio State's biggest breakout stars of 2025. He played a key role in last year's national championship run with 19 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, even catching fullback snaps in the Cotton Bowl. This season, he's exploded.

McDonald has already generated 47 stops—eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles (career firsts). Despite his bulk, he's surprisingly athletic: impressive initial quickness and lateral agility both on display. His matchup with Michigan center Greg Crippen is one of the season's underrated positional battles. A dominant McDonald performance could demolish Michigan's ground game and seal a first-round grade.

3. Carnell Tate, Ohio State, WR | 6-3, 195, JR

Tate has missed nearly a month with an undisclosed injury, sitting out three games and appearing questionable for Saturday alongside Jeremiah Smith. Either absence wounds the top-ranked Buckeyes' passing attack; both would force Julian Sayin to lean heavily on secondary options.

Prior to injury, Tate ascended draft boards rapidly. His remarkable body control and sticky hands make contested catches routine. He's feasted on Smith's double-team attention, averaging a Big Ten-leading 18.2 yards per reception with seven touchdowns in eight games.

Next spring, he'll become the sixth receiver from Ohio State to hear his name called in the first round since 2022, following Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave.

2. Caleb Downs, Ohio State, S | 6-0, 205, JR

As the most celebrated draft-eligible player on either roster, Downs barely needs introduction. An immediate star at Alabama as a true freshman, he became the first Crimson Tide freshman ever leading the team in tackles. Last year at Ohio State, he earned All-American honors and won the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award.

His excellence peaks in biggest moments: punt return touchdown against then-unbeaten Indiana, interceptions against Michigan and Texas (the latter in a CFP semifinal victory). This year's numbers (49 tackles, five for loss, two sacks, two interceptions) don't pop partly because opponents wisely game-plan around him.

Downs remains dominant through instincts, closing speed, and ball skills. Pound for pound, he's this draft class's best player. The NFL's increasing physicality regulations against receivers over the middle could slightly depress his value on draft day. Still, he's a future All-Pro who shouldn't fall outside the top five.

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State, LB/Edge | 6-4, 243, JR

Reese is generating the most excitement in scouting circles, earning comparisons to Micah Parsons for his dominance at both off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. He's a legitimate candidate to leap Downs and the entire 2026 class to become No. 1 overall should he declare early.

It's a dizzying rise for a player who only became full-time starter midway through 2024, entering this year with 43 total tackles (all in 2024). This season, Reese has already generated 59 stops, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

He possesses elite athletic traits: eye-popping straight-line speed, core flexibility, and a sculpted, power-packed frame. Coaches and scouts rave about his football character.

The NFL Draft projects upside, and no one in this class offers more than Reese. With just one win so far this season, the Tennessee Titans are current favorites to earn the No. 1 pick next spring—they'd seemingly love pairing All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons with an ascending superstar like Reese.