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Former UC Bearcats, other NFL hopefuls work out for Bengals
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- Former UC Bearcats, other NFL hopefuls work out for Bengals
On a sunny, spring morning along the Ohio River, 32 former college football players with local ties were given the traditional audition by the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
After a brisk hour-long workout, a large basket was rolled out by staffers to collect the jerseys given to the players on Tuesday, April 14.
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They had Bengals-issued t-shirts and orange shorts and for some, that might be all they'll remember. Of the 32, only a few will be retained for further observation. The rest will have deposited their last NFL jersey into the big plastic container with wheels as they exited.
But, it's like playing the lottery, you can't win without a ticket and perhaps one or more of the 32 can find a golden ticket.
Cincinnati Bearcats , Ohio State Buckeyes work out for Bengals
Tuesday's participants included Matthew McDoom, Logan Wilson , Xavier Williams , Jack Dingle, Gavin Gerhardt, Deondre Buford, Patrick Gurd, Isaiah Rogers, Jalen Hunt and CJ McCray from the Cincinnati Bearcats.
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From Ohio State there was Jayden Fielding, John Ferlmann, Ethan Onianwa and Tywone Malone Jr. Miami University was represented by Jordan Brunson, Elijah Blakey, Silas Walters, Jackson Kuwatch (Lakota West), and Austin Uke.
From other schools were UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna, whose father Jon played quarterback for the Bengals and currently coaches at Lakota East. Rodney Heath Jr. is also the son of a former Bengal who played at Lakota East and Louisiana Tech.
From Penn State there was Liam Clifford (St. Xavier) along with former Bombers quarterback Matthew Rueve of Indiana-Pennsylvania. From La Salle High School came cornerback Deago Brumfield of Mississippi State and running back Cam Porter of Northwestern.
Another Lakota West offering was Alex Afari from Kentucky, while Anderson's James Camden had runs at UC, Murray State and Western Michigan. Cam Junior from Middletown played at UC and Eastern Kentucky, Quincy Hughes of Princeton came from Wofford, David Larkins of Elder from Appalachian State and James Thompson Jr of Roger Bacon had stints at Wisconsin and Illinois.
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Thoughts from Cincinnati Bearcats on wearing Bengals jerseys
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14. UC's UC's Jack Dingle works out for Pro Day.
UC Bearcats linebacker Jack Dingle
The son of former UC Bearcat and NFL player Nate Dingle, Jack Dingle is 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds and is very close to a carbon copy of highly-touted UC linebacker Jake Golday.
"It's awesome being in your city, coming back with guys you played with, showing out our talents out here in our home stadium," Dingle said. "It's a dream come true. You've got to make every rep count."
Dingle had a recent visit with the Kansas City Chiefs and was flying to Las Vegas for the Raiders after his Bengals workout. He's also had numerous Zoom calls with NFL coaches. Many of the coaches familiar with Golday's play have come across Dingle.
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"He's made me a better player and hopefully I made him a better player," Dingle said. "What a great guy to be around and work with on an everyday basis. It's only made me better."
UC center, former captain Gavin Gerhardt
Gerhardt walked off of the field with Doug Rosfeld, the Bengals' chief of staff with Zac Taylor. Rosfeld, like Gerhardt, was a multi-year starter and captain of the Bearcats at center and had a free agent opportunity with the Browns before he got into coaching.
Don't be surprised to see Gerhardt in a coaching capacity someday, but for now he's still ready to block.
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"It was good to get out here and meet the offensive line coach," Gerhardt said.
Gerhardt has played in six NFL stadiums, including Arrowhead last year vs. Nebraska and played in the Bengals stadium for one Miami University game.
Before his Bengals workout, he had been to Minnesota to meet with the Vikings, he's had a workout with the Texans and has been on numerous Zoom calls like Dingle with other teams.
"I'm enjoying it while I can," Gerhadt said. "It'll get real busy here in three weeks when mini-camp starts."
UC cornerback Matthew McDoom
McDoom was the fastest Bearcat last year and enjoyed his time on an NFL field.
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"It was amazing having a little workout in an NFL stadium," McDoom said. "It's once in a lifetime that you get to do this. You're going to get everything out of me, you're going to get a true ballplayer. Someone with great IQ around the ball that makes plays around the ball, someone that's excited to play."
Former Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Logan Wilson (24) walks off with a Bengals coach after a workout April 14 at Paycor Stadium.
UC defensive back Logan Wilson
McDoom and Wilson jogged off the field together as they did at Nippert Stadium with the Bearcats. Wilson is ready for his chance and has never lacked confidence.
"Logan offers special teams play," Wilson said of selling himself. "I'm not even going to say I'm the best DB, you can just turn on the film and see I've got the 'dog'. It ain't even really dog, we're just going to get to that chicken, man. We're just going to put everything out on the line for the team. Trust the team, trust the coaches, trust the process. Special teams, kick return, punt return, gunner, whatever you need on special teams, I'm going to be there."
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UC defensive lineman Jalen Hunt
"I've never been before so it was very fun to see what the stadium looks like from the inside," Hunt said of his audition. "I work hard, I'm consistent, you don't have to worry about me off the field. I'm always representing the team. They're my family."
Hunt had a meeting with the Detroit Lions before his Bengals workout.
Former Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Patrick Gurd could help an NFL team at H-back or on special teams according to UC head football coach Scott Satterfield.
UC tight end Patrick Gurd
Gurd was trying his hand at long snapping during his workout in addition to his pass-catching and blocking skills. Being in a big stadium is nothing new to him as he sports a 2024 Ohio State national championship ring won before he came to UC to finish out with the Bearcats.
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Liam Clifford, Penn State WR, from St. Xavier
Clifford's brother has NFL experience with the Packers and Bengals, so he was among the elated to be on a professional field.
"You don't really get a breather, but you wouldn't want it any other way," Liam Clifford said of the post-college whirlwind. "It's everybody's childhood dream here to play in the NFL. If you've got one opportunity, you've got to give it your all. It's been hectic, but it's been fun. You're doing what you live and you get to play football, so you can't complain. Coming in here and watching games as a kid, every part of the day I had a smile on my face. You can't complain when you're on the Cincinnati Bengals field, the team I watched growing up as a child. It's pretty cool to be here."
Linebacker James Camden, Anderson, played at UC, Murray State, Western Michigan
Camden was all smiles being back in the orange and black of his high school.
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"It's a very special experience," Camden said. "I grew up watching the Bengals, coming to all the games. I drove in here listening to 'Welcome to the Jungle'. I'm just excited to get to work out here."
Jalen Kitna, son of former Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna, commanded the most media attention in a workout for local college players April 14 at Paycor Stadium.
Jalen Kitna, son of former Bengal Jon Kitna, currently coaching at Lakota East
Jalen Kitna finished his college career at UAB and did not play at Lakota East for his dad, as his younger brother JT did. Jalen Kitna has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds and was given the orange jersey No. 3 to work out in, the same number his father had as a Bengal.
"Any opportunity I'm super thankful for," Kitna said. "To be able to have this opportunity and get to do something where we have some history is really special. I'm thankful to continue my journey and super thankful to have a father that's been so great to so many people and great to me."
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The NFL draft is April 23-25 in Pittsburgh , with free agent signings to take place after its conclusion.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals host workout for former UC Bearcats, OSU Buckeyes
