2025 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bearcats most likely wait for Day 3 to hear names called
Running back Corey Kiner and offensive linemen Luke Kandra and John Williams all attended the NFL Combine and have been the most involved in speaking with professional teams. Other Cincinnati Bearcats, like offensive lineman Dartanyan Tinsley, will have their chances as undrafted free agents.
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Here is the latest on the UC trio who hope to follow in the footsteps of former Bearcats Travis Kelce and Bryan Cook by latching onto an NFL team and winning a Super Bowl.
Cincinnati Bearcats running back Corey Kiner (21) breaks a tackle attempt against the Houston Cougars last Sept. 22.
Cincinnati Bearcats running back Corey Kiner
The 23-year-old Kiner is a former Mr. Football in Ohio while at Roger Bacon. He played one season at LSU then transferred home to be a Cincinnati Bearcat in April of 2022. In his final two seasons at UC playing for Scott Satterfield, he had back-to-back 1,000-plus yard years.
The 5-foot-9, 209-pound running back in the fifth in UC history to accomplish the feat.
Strengths: Kiner was fourth among NCAA running backs in forced missed tackles. As a person, he's been an exemplary ambassador for the program. As a receiver, he caught all 16 passes targeted his way.
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Weaknesses: His size and speed may not be up to some NFL backs and he lacks special teams experience.
Cincinnati Bearcats offensive lineman Luke Kandra (67) flexes after a defensive stop against the Miami RedHawks Sept. 14.
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Luke Kandra
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Kandra is a few months away from his 24th birthday. He started at Louisville for Scott Satterfield, then transferred to his hometown like Kiner (and was reunited with Satterfield). Kandra played at Elder where his team included current Bearcat Joe Royer. They finished as Division I state runner-up.
Strengths: Yes, he is strong. He hoisted 225 pounds 33 times at the NFL Combine to lead in that category. He has wide shoulders. He had one penalty at UC: a false start last season. At Big 12 Pro Day, he had the best vertical jump of the offensive linemen. In two seasons at UC, he missed no games.
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Weaknesses: Truly not many. Some have commented on his wingspan, but his broad shoulders make up for it.
Cincinnati Bearcats offensive lineman John Williams (75) could land with an NFL team in the late rounds Saturday.
Cincinnati Bearcats tackle John Williams
The 6-foot-4, 322-pound Williams is 23 and majored in aerospace engineering, so he took on heavy loads and heavy class loads. His pass blocking stood out during the East-West Shrine Bowl practice week.
Strengths: At 11 inches, Williams had the largest measured hands at the Combine. He was UC's starting left tackle the past two seasons.
Weaknesses: Where Kiner and Kandra are projected sixth-to-seventh rounders some only have Williams as a free agent. He's taken several meetings with teams, so that could change this weekend.
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Dartanyan Tinsley
Tinsley, at 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, is not expected to be drafted, but the word has gotten out. He participated in the Bengals workout for local college players and has turned heads with his measurements. Tinsley's wingspan is 84" (7 feet), his arms are 34" and like Williams he has 11" hands (Tinsley was not invited to the NFL Combine).
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In addition to the Bengals he's had contact with the Jaguars, Saints, Colts, Falcons.
Strengths: Not as strong as Kandra, but did 30 reps at his Pro Day. A strong run blocker, he was a two-year starter at UC.
Weaknesses: Tinsley came to UC from Kentucky Christian College, an NAIA program. He could be the first from that school to land in the pros. Not having the four-year experience that Williams and Kandra had might be considered a weakness, but it might also be a motivational strength.
Other Cincinnati Bearcats probably looking at UDFA deals
UC's top receiver last season, Xzavier Henderson is 6-foot-4 and 204 pounds. He had 59 catches and four touchdowns. Tackle Phillip Wilder is 6-foot-5 and 315-pounds who played eight games, starting seven on the line that helped senior running back Kiner surpass 1,000 yards again.
Where UC's Kandra, Kiner, Williams may land
To be fair, there are so many mock drafts available it's really hard to be accurate. Plus, draft day deals often change where a team may pick, which often changes the pick. That said, here's a rundown of where some sites have UC's top three going for their next helmet.
Reid only has Kandra being selected in round five by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Several PFF analysts were involved. In order they have Kandra to the Patriots in round six, Williams to the Steelers in the seventh and Kiner to the Falcons, also in the seventh.
PFN has all three Bearcats going in the seventh and final round. It's Kandra to the Giants, Kiner to the 49ers and Williams to the Bears.
CFN has Kandra in round five going to the Panthers and Kiner in the sixth round to the Dallas Cowboys.
CBS did a ranking of players and also a mock draft with various contributors. In the mock draft, they had Kiner to the Chiefs in round seven. However, by their rankings they had Williams at pick No. 175 which would be a fifth-round choice by the Seahawks, and Kandra at No. 244, a seventh-round pick by the Lions.
Kandra takes top billing here rated as a fifth-round choice to the Buccaneers. Kiner is rated as a seventh-round pick of the Lions and Williams is ranked as an undrafted free agent,
NFL Mock Draft Data Base
Kandra is seen as a sixth-round pick by the Titans. Williams is projected late seventh-round to the Browns. Kiner is projected at pick No. 257 as the last pick, currently held by the Chiefs. That would make him "Mr. Irrelevant" in addition to being Mr. Football, something that would motivate the tough runner.
When to look/listen for Cincinnati Bearcats?
The first round begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. with rounds two and three Friday at 7 p.m. Saturday, starting at noon is the final four rounds where UC's players are more than likely headed.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2025 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bearcats probably destined for Day 3
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