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Though the NFL draft happened just a few weeks ago, there is already information about next year's extravaganza to be held in Pittsburgh.
One can't always bank on the accuracy of preseason speculation, but you can always bank on there being a plethora of football fodder available before cleat hits ball to kickoff the 2025 season.
From a Cincinnati Bearcats football perspective, one former ESPN talking head has taken a liking to redshirt senior tight end Joe Royer. Todd McShay, a former NFL draft day fixture with Mel Kiper Jr., now works for The Ringer and Spotify and has the 6-foot-5, 255-pound former Elder Panther going in the first round next season with the 31st overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Appearing at a UC promotional event, Ball and Brew at Buckethead's May 7, Royer was appreciative of the attention but focused on the Bearcats.
"It's a testament to everything I've been through," Royer said. "I'm not trying to pay too much attention to it. I've just got to go out and perform this year. A little mock draft in May won't mean anything in the fall if I don't do what I'm supposed to do."
Royer had opportunities to leave and enter the 2025 draft, but elected to stay for one more season at Nippert Stadium.
"I got the Shrine Bowl and the Reese's (Senior) Bowl and my agent said I had a good shot at being a day two guy," Royer said. "I just felt like I wasn't quite ready to move on and I had more to give the University and myself to grow as a person and a player."
His goal is to be the first tight end off the board in 2026.
If accurate, Royer would follow a long line of Bearcats who became Eagles including La Salle High School tight end Brent Celek, Connor Barwin, Trent Cole, Mardy Gilyard and Jason Kelce. He also would join a select group of UC Bearcats who were first-round picks, the last being cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner in 2022 to the New York Jets.
UC's other first-rounders were quarterback Greg Cook in 1969 to the Bengals and defensive tackle Bob Bell in 1971 to the Detroit Lions.
Beyond McShay's 2026 mock, the Cincinnati Bearcats should have no issue having an 11th straight year with at least one NFL draft pick. There won't be nine like 2022's post-College Football Playoff group, but they shouldn't be sweating it out either as happened last month when tackle John Williams was picked in the seventh round with the 250th pick of 257.
"He's certainly one of the best tight ends in the country," Satterfield said. "We'll see how much work he puts in between now and the games because that's really what matters. He's had a great offseason so far and he'll need a great summer before we start camp."
Another local product, Colerain's Dontay Corleone has played opposite of Royer in practice and is more bullish on Royer than talking head McShay.
"I think he should be higher than that, I think he's the best tight end in the country," Corleone said. "I get to watch him every day in practice. He's something special."
NFLDraftBuzz.com lists Royer as the second-best tight end available. Oddly enough, he's behind another former Greater Catholic League-South player in St. Xavier's Max Klare who is at Purdue.
The site lists Klare as the 39th overall pick with Royer at No. 54, both second-round choices.
Royer passed former Bearcat and current Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for the single-season reception record at UC for tight ends with 50 last season. Klare had 51 catches, 163 more yards and one more touchdown than Royer.
Royer in 2019 caught 70 passes for 15 touchdowns in 15 games for Elder. Klare, a converted quarterback caught 39 balls in 2021 for five touchdowns for St. Xavier.
The 6-foot-1, 320-pound Corleone joined Royer and quarterback Brendan Sorsby at last December's Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout announcing their return for 2025.
NFLDraftBuzz.com has Corleone as the 18th-best defensive lineman and the No. 80 prospect overall, which would place him in the third round.
The report said:
Though just a redshirt sophomore now, guard Evan Tengesdahl at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds gets projected as the 279th-best available player if he were to enter the 2026 draft. He was in last year's offensive line rotation and with his versatility is a projected starter this season.
Running back Evan Pryor, was a good mix-and-match with Corey Kiner last season and is projected by NFLDraftBuzz.com as the 387th-best available player.
He showed his big play potential with 418 rushing yards including a 65-yard touchdown and added 15 catches for 181 yards including an 80-yard score.
UC has added Wisconsin transfer Tawee Walker this season, so it remains to be seen how carries will be divided, but Pryor is capable of "home run" plays. Walker, who racked up 864 yards and 10 scores facing Big Ten competition at Wisconsin could also get a look with a noteworthy campaign.
Of those not listed, linebacker Jake Golday turned heads coming from Central Arkansas to UC and making key plays. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds with speed, he made an impact last year and is joined by several athletic linebackers.
In addition to Tengesdahl on the line, Deondre Buford and Gavin Gerhardt are returning starters who have helped plow back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for Kiner (now a 49ers free agent signee). Ball State transfer Taran Tyo will have another year.
Lindenwood 6-foot-5 transfer Jeff Caldwell and Texas A&M transfer Cyrus Allen were mainstays at receiver during spring and could get looks. Obviously, how many would depend on their production. Caldwell would certainly generate interest with his frame and ability to separate.
The 2026 NFL draft will be next April 23-25. How any of these Bearcats fare starts Thursday, Aug. 28 when they open the season against Nebraska at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Todd McShay says UC Bearcats tight end Royer is 1st-rounder in 2026
Continue reading...
One can't always bank on the accuracy of preseason speculation, but you can always bank on there being a plethora of football fodder available before cleat hits ball to kickoff the 2025 season.
From a Cincinnati Bearcats football perspective, one former ESPN talking head has taken a liking to redshirt senior tight end Joe Royer. Todd McShay, a former NFL draft day fixture with Mel Kiper Jr., now works for The Ringer and Spotify and has the 6-foot-5, 255-pound former Elder Panther going in the first round next season with the 31st overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Appearing at a UC promotional event, Ball and Brew at Buckethead's May 7, Royer was appreciative of the attention but focused on the Bearcats.
"It's a testament to everything I've been through," Royer said. "I'm not trying to pay too much attention to it. I've just got to go out and perform this year. A little mock draft in May won't mean anything in the fall if I don't do what I'm supposed to do."
Royer had opportunities to leave and enter the 2025 draft, but elected to stay for one more season at Nippert Stadium.
"I got the Shrine Bowl and the Reese's (Senior) Bowl and my agent said I had a good shot at being a day two guy," Royer said. "I just felt like I wasn't quite ready to move on and I had more to give the University and myself to grow as a person and a player."
His goal is to be the first tight end off the board in 2026.
If accurate, Royer would follow a long line of Bearcats who became Eagles including La Salle High School tight end Brent Celek, Connor Barwin, Trent Cole, Mardy Gilyard and Jason Kelce. He also would join a select group of UC Bearcats who were first-round picks, the last being cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner in 2022 to the New York Jets.
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UC's other first-rounders were quarterback Greg Cook in 1969 to the Bengals and defensive tackle Bob Bell in 1971 to the Detroit Lions.
Beyond McShay's 2026 mock, the Cincinnati Bearcats should have no issue having an 11th straight year with at least one NFL draft pick. There won't be nine like 2022's post-College Football Playoff group, but they shouldn't be sweating it out either as happened last month when tackle John Williams was picked in the seventh round with the 250th pick of 257.
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Royer recommendations from UC coach Satterfield, teammate Corleone
"He's certainly one of the best tight ends in the country," Satterfield said. "We'll see how much work he puts in between now and the games because that's really what matters. He's had a great offseason so far and he'll need a great summer before we start camp."
Another local product, Colerain's Dontay Corleone has played opposite of Royer in practice and is more bullish on Royer than talking head McShay.
"I think he should be higher than that, I think he's the best tight end in the country," Corleone said. "I get to watch him every day in practice. He's something special."
Other early 2026 Cincinnati Bearcats draft projections
NFLDraftBuzz.com lists Royer as the second-best tight end available. Oddly enough, he's behind another former Greater Catholic League-South player in St. Xavier's Max Klare who is at Purdue.
The site lists Klare as the 39th overall pick with Royer at No. 54, both second-round choices.
Royer passed former Bearcat and current Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for the single-season reception record at UC for tight ends with 50 last season. Klare had 51 catches, 163 more yards and one more touchdown than Royer.
Royer in 2019 caught 70 passes for 15 touchdowns in 15 games for Elder. Klare, a converted quarterback caught 39 balls in 2021 for five touchdowns for St. Xavier.
You must be registered for see images attach
UC's 'Godfather' Dontay Corleone
The 6-foot-1, 320-pound Corleone joined Royer and quarterback Brendan Sorsby at last December's Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout announcing their return for 2025.
NFLDraftBuzz.com has Corleone as the 18th-best defensive lineman and the No. 80 prospect overall, which would place him in the third round.
The report said:
UC Bearcats currently projected as free agents for 2026
Though just a redshirt sophomore now, guard Evan Tengesdahl at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds gets projected as the 279th-best available player if he were to enter the 2026 draft. He was in last year's offensive line rotation and with his versatility is a projected starter this season.
You must be registered for see images
Running back Evan Pryor, was a good mix-and-match with Corey Kiner last season and is projected by NFLDraftBuzz.com as the 387th-best available player.
He showed his big play potential with 418 rushing yards including a 65-yard touchdown and added 15 catches for 181 yards including an 80-yard score.
UC has added Wisconsin transfer Tawee Walker this season, so it remains to be seen how carries will be divided, but Pryor is capable of "home run" plays. Walker, who racked up 864 yards and 10 scores facing Big Ten competition at Wisconsin could also get a look with a noteworthy campaign.
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Which UC Bearcats could be NFL draft day steals?
Of those not listed, linebacker Jake Golday turned heads coming from Central Arkansas to UC and making key plays. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds with speed, he made an impact last year and is joined by several athletic linebackers.
In addition to Tengesdahl on the line, Deondre Buford and Gavin Gerhardt are returning starters who have helped plow back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for Kiner (now a 49ers free agent signee). Ball State transfer Taran Tyo will have another year.
You must be registered for see images attach
Lindenwood 6-foot-5 transfer Jeff Caldwell and Texas A&M transfer Cyrus Allen were mainstays at receiver during spring and could get looks. Obviously, how many would depend on their production. Caldwell would certainly generate interest with his frame and ability to separate.
The 2026 NFL draft will be next April 23-25. How any of these Bearcats fare starts Thursday, Aug. 28 when they open the season against Nebraska at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Todd McShay says UC Bearcats tight end Royer is 1st-rounder in 2026
Continue reading...
