Several Cincinnati Bearcats players, including Jeff Caldwell and Dontay Corleone, went undrafted and will now seek opportunities as undrafted free agents. The Bearcats have had 22 players selected in the NFL draft since 2021.
Key points
Cincinnati Bearcats had 22 players drafted since 2021
Jeff Caldwell and Dontay Corleone went undrafted
Ivan Pace Jr. became a starter after going undrafted
Bearcats players drafted in 2026 include Jake Golday and Joe Royer
Mentioned in this story
Minnesota VikingsCleveland BrownsKansas City Chiefs
Cincinnati BearcatsJeff CaldwellDontay CorleoneIvan Pace Jr.
Unfortunately, several draft-eligible Bearcats were not selected, notably Jeff Caldwell and Dontay Corleone, who had late-round projections. These Bearcats will now have to make the NFL by way of being undrafted free agents. The most famous UC player to recently do this was Ivan Pace Jr., who will now be a teammate of Golday and Gerhardt.
Pace went unpicked in 2023 and signed a free agent deal with the Vikings. He quickly became a starter and a Vikings mainstay.
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Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jeff Caldwell (9) reacts with Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Patrick Gurd (21) after he scored a touchdown last Nov. 15 vs. Arizona at Nippert Stadium.
Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jeff Caldwell (9) reacts with Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Patrick Gurd (21) after he scored a touchdown last Nov. 15 vs. Arizona at Nippert Stadium.
Jeff Caldwell – Caldwell, who played one season at UC after transferring from FCS Lindenwood University, was measured at over 6-foot-5 and 216 pounds at the NFL Combine. His 40-yard dash time was 4.31, he had a vertical leap of 42" and a broad jump of 11'2".
After catching 53 passes for 11 touchdowns at Lindenwood to become a Walter Payton Award finalist for Best FCS Offensive Player, Caldwell came to UC and had 32 catches and six touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Dontay Corleone (2) prepares to defend against Bowling Green last September. On his left of Corleone is Jake Golday (11) and right of him is Jack Dingle (49).
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Dontay Corleone (2) prepares to defend against Bowling Green last September. On his left of Corleone is Jake Golday (11) and right of him is Jack Dingle (49).
Dontay Corleone – "The Godfather" was at the NFL Combine and the UC Pro Day but hasn't worked out yet for scouts other than what's been put on tape. He did do interviews at the NFL Combine and was measured at 6-foot-0.5 and 340 pounds.
Because of nagging injuries, Corleone may have to work his way up. His freshman year at UC, he was first-team American Athletic Conference and a Freshman All-American with 45.5 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. In 2023, he was second-team Big 12 with 39 tackles, 6.5 TFL and three sacks. He made first-team Big 12 in 2024, though his production was 26 tackles, five TFL and 3.5 sacks. Limited to 13 tackles last year, some due to being double-teamed, he was second-team Big 12.
Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jack Dingle (49) tackles Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) in UC's win over the Bears Oct. 25 at Nippert Stadium last season.
Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jack Dingle (49) tackles Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) in UC's win over the Bears Oct. 25 at Nippert Stadium last season.
Jack Dingle – Dingle worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals and has had other visits. He's 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds coming off of a 60-tackle season with three sacks. At UC's Pro Day, he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash, had a vertical leap of 35.5 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 4 inches. He did 23 bench press reps at 225 pounds.
"Jack played a lot of football here," UC linebackers coach Cortney Braswell said. "He started more games than any linebacker in UC history. He's a guy that elevates the room."
Patrick Gurd – Guard will get looks at tight end or fullback (H-back). He's over 6-foot-3 and weighs 244 pounds with a 4.8 40, a 37.5-inch vertical and 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Mathew McDoom works out for Pro Day.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. Miami's Jackson Kuwatch works out for Pro Day.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's UC's Jack Dingle works out for Pro Day.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Logan Wilson works out for Pro Day.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Deondre Buford works out for Pro Day.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. Jalen Kitna works out for Pro Day.
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Logan Wilson (left) and Mathew McDoom work out for Pro Day.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Mathew McDoom works out for Pro Day.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. Miami's Jackson Kuwatch works out for Pro Day.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's UC's Jack Dingle works out for Pro Day.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Logan Wilson works out for Pro Day.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Deondre Buford works out for Pro Day.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. Jalen Kitna works out for Pro Day.
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Bengals host Pro Day for draft eligible players
The Bengals invite 32 draft eligible players for an early morning workout for Pro Day at Paycor Stadium on Tuesday April 14, 2026. UC's Logan Wilson (left) and Mathew McDoom work out for Pro Day.
Deondre Buford – Like Gerhardt, Buford was an offensive line starter who is over 6-foot-4 and weighs 323 pounds.
Logan Wilson – Wilson is just over 5-foot-9 and 172 pounds, but has wheeled out a 4.42 40 and has a 35-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
Matthew McDoom – McDoom is of similar build to Wilson and has a 4.46 40 time, a vertical of 33 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 6 inches.
Xavier Williams – The safety is over 6-foot-2 and weighs 217 pounds. Williams ran a 4.56 40 at UC's Pro Day, had a 38.5-inch vertical and 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump.
Jalen Hunt – Hunt has had visits with the Bengals and Detroit Lions and is over 6-foot-2 and 310 pounds as a defensive lineman. He did 25 bench press reps.
Isaiah Rogers – Rogers is 6-foot-1 and 290 pounds and played defensive line with Hunt.
CJ McCray – McCray is over 6-foot-3 and weighs 244 pounds as an edge. He ran a 4.66 40, had a 36.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot, 4-inch broad jump.