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Jake Essler begins his ninth season in 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings personnel department. Essler, a college area scout who is primarily responsible for the Midwest, was promoted to his current title in June of 2025. Prior to his current role, Essler spent four seasons as the Northeast scout (2021-24) after serving as the team's BLESTO from 2018-20. His primary responsibility is to create early-stage evaluations by evaluating NFL-level-talent college players. Essler focuses on finding draft-eligible talent in schools in the FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III programs.

Jake Essler begins his ninth season in 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings personnel department. Essler, a college area scout who is primarily responsible for the Midwest, was promoted to his current title in June of 2025. Prior to his current role, Essler spent four seasons as the Northeast scout (2021-24) after serving as the team's BLESTO from 2018-20. His primary responsibility is to create early-stage evaluations by evaluating NFL-level-talent college players. Essler focuses on finding draft-eligible talent in schools in the FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III programs.

Essler started with the Vikings as a scouting intern during the 2017 season where he helped assist both pro scouts and college scouts evaluate players. Before joining the Vikings, the Spicer, Minn., native coached running backs at St. John's University and the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

The 2014 graduate of St. John's in Collegeville, Minn., suited up for 30 games as a running back and return specialist for the Johnnies from 2010-13. In 2012, he played in all 10 games and was named All-MIAC Honorable Mention. Essler earned his Master of Education from Minnesota-Duluth in 2017. Essler and his wife Isabel reside in Shakopee, Minn.