UC Bearcats Football: Deven Drane, Marquise Aiken Receive NFL Tryout Invites

Remember to like Cincy on the Prowl on Facebook and follow Cincy on the Prowl on Twitter.

There are now nine undrafted free agents from the 2013 Cincinnati football team trying out for spots on professional rosters. The first wave came just after the close of the 2014 NFL Draft when Blake Annen (Eagles), Greg Blair (Browns), Andre Cureton (Cowboys), Brendon Kay (Steelers), and Anthony McClung (Texans) were invited to camps. Then offensive guards Sam Longo (Browns) and Austen Bujnoch (Jets) received their invitations.

Now cornerback Deven Drane and defensive tackle Marquise Aiken will join them.

I’m especially excited to hear that Drane will get a look from NFL coaches. He’s been a lockdown cornerback for the Bearcats for the better part of the last three years. He totaled 112 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and 8 interceptions over that time. The numbers don’t jump out at you but the fact is quarterbacks knew not to even throw to his side of the field most of the time. That’s just the kind of presence Drane brought to the defense. The problem is the cornerback has been hampered due to broken hand he suffered back in 2012. It nagged him for the remainder of his career. While it didn’t necessarily slow him down, it certainly impeded his ability pull down interceptions. If he can keep it healthy, there should be no reason Drane can’t stand out in a Lions secondary that is starving for help.

5.20.2014 UPDATE: Tip of the cap to reader Dan (@eero_dynamic) for point this out, Drane attended the tryout but did not receive an undrafted free agent contract. Only Gregory Hickman emerged with a deal. Hopefully Drane can land on his feet somewhere.

Additionally I’m happy one of Cincinnati’s many graduating defensive tackles will get a shot in the NFL. Marquise Aiken wasn’t at Cincinnati long, just one season after transferring from Marshall, but did a nice job plugging up the interior of UC’s defensive line. At 6’5″ and 275 lbs, he was among the Bearcats’ larger defensive tackles on the roster last season. That along with his experience made him an instant starter at UC. And he didn’t disappoint. Aiken posted 24 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a half-sack for Cincinnati last season. Like with Drane, the numbers aren’t overwhelming but he was a key cog in the rotation gobbling up double-teams to allow Jordan Stepp to power past his one-on-one matchups. Hopefully the Jacksonville Jaguars recognize those abilities during tryouts.