Ticketsupdated on Saturday, April 25 at 7:05 p.m. ET
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Cincinnati offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt was selected on Saturday by the Minnesota Vikings with the 235th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Vikings now have four Bearcats on their roster, as Gerhardt joins Jake Golday, who was selected in the second round on Friday, Ivan Pace and Eric Wilson.
“I’m thrilled for Gavin and for the Vikings,” Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said. “He is without a doubt the best leader I’ve been around. We had one of the best offensive lines in the country this past season and Gavin was the main reason why. Congratulations to Gavin and his family.”
The three-time team captain started 49 career games for the Bearcats to tie for third-most in program history. A 2025 Remington Award watch list and Wuerffel Trophy watch list member, Gerhardt helped anchor a line which was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, finishing second nationally and one off the lead with only eight sacks allowed. The 2023 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection started all 25 games over his final two seasons in a Bearcats uniform.
Led by second-round pick Jake Golday, the Cincinnati football team had four players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, as fifth-round selections Joe Royer and Cyrus Allen joined Gerhardt on Day Three. The Bearcats have now had 22 players selected since 2021 and 55 since 2000.
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updated on Saturday, April 25 at 3:55 p.m. ET
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen was selected on Saturday by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 176th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Allen, who tied the school record with 13 touchdown receptions in 2025, is the first Bearcats wide receiver selected since 2023, when both Tre Tucker (Raiders, third round) and Tyler Scott (Bears, fourth round) were taken.
He joins Bryan Cook (2022), Parker Ehinger (2016) and Travis Kelce (2013) as recent Cincinnati products drafted by the Chiefs.
“I think the Chiefs got the steal of the draft in Cyrus Allen,” head coach Scott Satterfield said. “Cyrus has elite speed and route-running ability with outstanding hands to match. It felt like he caught just about every ball thrown his way this past season and always delivered in the biggest moments. We’ve had a lot of great receivers come through Cincinnati, so for him to tie the single-season touchdown receptions record says a lot about the caliber of player he is—and can become—in the NFL. I’m excited for Cyrus and his family and can’t wait to watch him flourish at the next level.”
Allen played one season for the Bearcats after transferring from Texas A&M but made an immediate impact with his precise route running and big-play ability. He led Cincinnati in receptions (51) and receiving yards (674) while adding 13 touchdowns en route to All-Big 12 Second Team honors.
He recorded a three-touchdown game at Oklahoma State and caught two scores at Kansas. His 88-yard touchdown reception at Utah ranks as the third-longest in program history.
The Bearcats have now had 21 players selected since 2021 and 54 since 2000.
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updated on Saturday, April 25 at 3:35 p.m. ET
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Cincinnati tight end Joe Royer was selected by the Cleveland Browns on Saturday with the 170th overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Royer is the ninth Bearcats tight end selected all-time and the sixth since 2007, joining standouts such as Josh Whyle (2023), Josiah Deguara (2020), Travis Kelce (2013) and Brent Celek (2007).
He joins Jowon Briggs (2024), Jerome Ford (2022) and James Hudson (2021) as recent Bearcats drafted by the Browns.
Royer broke Kelce’s single-season school record for tight end receptions with 50 in 2024 en route to First Team All-Big 12 honors. The Cincinnati native and Elder High School product totaled 79 receptions for 937 yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons at UC, revitalizing his career after battling injuries for three seasons at Ohio State.
“Joe Royer was a consummate pro and one of the most complete tight ends we’ve had here over the past two seasons,” head coach Scott Satterfield said. “He’s strong, tough and has great hands. I’m excited for Joe and his family. He continues the legacy of outstanding Bearcats tight ends in the NFL. The Browns are getting a winner who can impact the game in a lot of ways.”
Royer joins Jake Golday as Bearcats drafted in 2026. Golday was selected with the 51st overall pick in the second round by the Minnesota Vikings, where he will team up with fellow former UC linebackers Ivan Pace and Eric Wilson.
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