TicketsCINCINNATI – Tyler Scott's phone buzzed as a text message came through from his best friend on Monday morning.
"Well, it's draft week. The last normal week ever, bro," he read on his phone.
Truer words have never been texted.
Of course, the message came from Tre Tucker, Scott's best friend and fellow University of Cincinnati star wide receiver. The duo grew up in Akron, Ohio, and both went on to all-conference careers during the greatest three-year stretch in UC program history.
This weekend, Scott, Tucker and several Bearcats' lives will certainly be changed forever during the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City.
The first round of the draft begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday with rounds two and three starting at 7 p.m. on Friday. The draft will wrap up at Noon on Saturday with rounds four through seven. The event will be televised live on the NFL Network, ESPN and ABC.
The Bearcats have seen 13 players selected the last two drafts, which is the most in the new Big 12.
NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler projects six more Bearcats to be drafted this weekend, led by Scott, who he ranks as the No. 7 wide receiver and No. 48 overall prospect.
Bearcats on Brugler's Draft Board
Scott followed Tucker to Cincinnati, and the pair have developed a deep bond that still exist beyond their college playing days.
"He's more of a brother," Scott said. "Every step of the way he has been there. We have the same agent, same financial advisor, we trained together, went to the combine together. It's an honor and a blessing that God has put us together."
They also both were timed at 4.32 in the 40-yard dash at Pro Day, making them two of the fastest wide receiver prospects in the draft.
Which is no surprise, considering Scott and Tucker met through track and field and both competed for Akron youth teams at AAU national championships.
Scott was a high school running back who played sparingly in 2020 as a true freshman while he learned to be a receiver. He emerged as a big-play threat as sophomore during the 2021 College Football Playoff season and took his game to another level in 2022, catching 54 passes for 899 yards and nine touchdowns.
Tucker, a four-year player and team captain, ranked just behind Scott with 52 catches for 671 yards and three scores in 2022. He wrapped up his career as one of the top returners in school history. He had two kick return touchdowns, and his 1,670 kick return yards are the third-most in school history. He also earned a degree in sports administration.
Both players spent much of the past few weeks training on campus at Nippert Stadium while taking in spring football practice. They are both currently back home in Akron. Scott will have a draft party in Cincinnati, while Tucker will stay in Akron Northeast Ohio surrounded by family and friends.
"It's been amazing," Tucker said of navigating the draft process with Scott. "God works in mysterious ways. We grew up together. I actually have a picture of us in the stands sitting together at 7 or 8 years old. And it's unbelievable to think how far we have come. We've done everything together. That shows our brotherhood. We tell teams if you got two picks back-to-back, you better take both of us.
"There's no one I would rather do it with."
Pace Jr. Graduates, Parlays Breakout Season to NFL Draft Ivan Pace Jr. has made a habit of proving people wrong.
Shunned by Power 5 programs coming out of Colerain High School in Cincinnati, he dominated at Miami (Ohio) before authoring one of the greatest seasons ever by a Cincinnati Bearcat, snagging unanimous All-America accolades in 2022.
Passed over by the Senior Bowl, he was late addition and only collected Defensive MVP honors in the annual all-star showcase.
Injured at the NFL Combine, he rebounded to turn heads at his Pro Day.
Now, Pace Jr., who will also earn his bachelor's degree this weekend, is ready to see where he will play football next.
"The moment is here," Pace Jr. said. "I have been waiting for it my whole life. Ever since I was a little kid I have wanted to play in the NFL. It's going to be a slow a week, but I'm getting very excited to hear my name called."
In 2022, Pace Jr. finished in the Top 10 in the nation in tackles (137), tackles for loss (21.5) and sacks (10) en route to becoming the Bearcats' first-ever unanimous All-American.
Undersized by traditional NFL standards, Pace Jr. projects as a mid-round pick. Brugler rates him the ninth-best linebacker. The tape doesn't lie and Pace Jr.'s incredible production at the collegiate level will almost certainly translate to Sundays.
Pace Jr. could have returned to UC for a final season due to the COVID-19 pandemic's extra year of eligibility rule. However, he had already reunited with his brother, Deshawn Pace, for a season on UC's defense and proved to be one of college football's best players.
"Transferring to Cincinnati, my goal was to be one-and-done, and that's what I did," he said. "I had a fantastic season – went in there and showed how I can play and what I can do. The time is now.
"I'm just ready to play football and see where my new home is." Brugler's Other UC Prospects Several other UC alums will have an opportunity to be drafted or signed as undrafted free agents.
Jeremy Cooper – No. 31 offensive guard
Lorenz Metz – No. 33 offensive guard
Jabari Taylor – No. 33 defensive tackle
Dylan O'Quinn – No. 50 offensive guard
James Tunstall – No. 51 offensive tackle
Charles McClelland – No. 55 running back
Ja'Von Hicks – No. 60 safety
Ty Van Fossen – No. 63 linebacker
Wilson Huber – No. 78 linebacker
-GoBEARCATS.com-
"Well, it's draft week. The last normal week ever, bro," he read on his phone.
Truer words have never been texted.
Of course, the message came from Tre Tucker, Scott's best friend and fellow University of Cincinnati star wide receiver. The duo grew up in Akron, Ohio, and both went on to all-conference careers during the greatest three-year stretch in UC program history.
This weekend, Scott, Tucker and several Bearcats' lives will certainly be changed forever during the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City.
The first round of the draft begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday with rounds two and three starting at 7 p.m. on Friday. The draft will wrap up at Noon on Saturday with rounds four through seven. The event will be televised live on the NFL Network, ESPN and ABC.
The Bearcats have seen 13 players selected the last two drafts, which is the most in the new Big 12.
NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler projects six more Bearcats to be drafted this weekend, led by Scott, who he ranks as the No. 7 wide receiver and No. 48 overall prospect.
Bearcats on Brugler's Draft Board
- Tyler Scott – No. 7 wide receiver, second-round grade, No. 48 overall prospect
- Ivan Pace, Jr. – No. 9 linebacker, fourth-round grade
- Tre Tucker – No. 24 wide receiver, fifth-round grade
- Josh Whyle – No. 11 tight end, fifth-round grade
- Arquon Bush – No. 31 cornerback, sixth-to-seventh-round grade
- Leonard Taylor – No. 18 tight end, seventh-round grade
Scott followed Tucker to Cincinnati, and the pair have developed a deep bond that still exist beyond their college playing days.
"He's more of a brother," Scott said. "Every step of the way he has been there. We have the same agent, same financial advisor, we trained together, went to the combine together. It's an honor and a blessing that God has put us together."
They also both were timed at 4.32 in the 40-yard dash at Pro Day, making them two of the fastest wide receiver prospects in the draft.
Which is no surprise, considering Scott and Tucker met through track and field and both competed for Akron youth teams at AAU national championships.
Scott was a high school running back who played sparingly in 2020 as a true freshman while he learned to be a receiver. He emerged as a big-play threat as sophomore during the 2021 College Football Playoff season and took his game to another level in 2022, catching 54 passes for 899 yards and nine touchdowns.
Tucker, a four-year player and team captain, ranked just behind Scott with 52 catches for 671 yards and three scores in 2022. He wrapped up his career as one of the top returners in school history. He had two kick return touchdowns, and his 1,670 kick return yards are the third-most in school history. He also earned a degree in sports administration.
Both players spent much of the past few weeks training on campus at Nippert Stadium while taking in spring football practice. They are both currently back home in Akron. Scott will have a draft party in Cincinnati, while Tucker will stay in Akron Northeast Ohio surrounded by family and friends.
"It's been amazing," Tucker said of navigating the draft process with Scott. "God works in mysterious ways. We grew up together. I actually have a picture of us in the stands sitting together at 7 or 8 years old. And it's unbelievable to think how far we have come. We've done everything together. That shows our brotherhood. We tell teams if you got two picks back-to-back, you better take both of us.
"There's no one I would rather do it with."
Pace Jr. Graduates, Parlays Breakout Season to NFL Draft Ivan Pace Jr. has made a habit of proving people wrong.
Shunned by Power 5 programs coming out of Colerain High School in Cincinnati, he dominated at Miami (Ohio) before authoring one of the greatest seasons ever by a Cincinnati Bearcat, snagging unanimous All-America accolades in 2022.
Passed over by the Senior Bowl, he was late addition and only collected Defensive MVP honors in the annual all-star showcase.
Injured at the NFL Combine, he rebounded to turn heads at his Pro Day.
Now, Pace Jr., who will also earn his bachelor's degree this weekend, is ready to see where he will play football next.
"The moment is here," Pace Jr. said. "I have been waiting for it my whole life. Ever since I was a little kid I have wanted to play in the NFL. It's going to be a slow a week, but I'm getting very excited to hear my name called."
In 2022, Pace Jr. finished in the Top 10 in the nation in tackles (137), tackles for loss (21.5) and sacks (10) en route to becoming the Bearcats' first-ever unanimous All-American.
Undersized by traditional NFL standards, Pace Jr. projects as a mid-round pick. Brugler rates him the ninth-best linebacker. The tape doesn't lie and Pace Jr.'s incredible production at the collegiate level will almost certainly translate to Sundays.
Pace Jr. could have returned to UC for a final season due to the COVID-19 pandemic's extra year of eligibility rule. However, he had already reunited with his brother, Deshawn Pace, for a season on UC's defense and proved to be one of college football's best players.
"Transferring to Cincinnati, my goal was to be one-and-done, and that's what I did," he said. "I had a fantastic season – went in there and showed how I can play and what I can do. The time is now.
"I'm just ready to play football and see where my new home is." Brugler's Other UC Prospects Several other UC alums will have an opportunity to be drafted or signed as undrafted free agents.
Jeremy Cooper – No. 31 offensive guard
Lorenz Metz – No. 33 offensive guard
Jabari Taylor – No. 33 defensive tackle
Dylan O'Quinn – No. 50 offensive guard
James Tunstall – No. 51 offensive tackle
Charles McClelland – No. 55 running back
Ja'Von Hicks – No. 60 safety
Ty Van Fossen – No. 63 linebacker
Wilson Huber – No. 78 linebacker
-GoBEARCATS.com-