It’s been just two weeks since Travis Kelce was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2012 NFL Draft but it’s never too late to look ahead at next year’s group of potential UC draftees. In 2013 the Cincinnati Bearcats boast experienced players at a number of key positions; offensive line, linebacker, and quarterback. Projected starters at those nine positions have notched over 100 games in their belts.
As such, you can expect to see the names of some of these players called next April in the 2014 NFL Draft. This is by no means etched in stone but an incomprehensive list of five Bearcats who have had strong careers at Cincinnati, no matter how short, and could only enhance their resumes in 2013.
Let’s get to it:
Greg Blair
Cincinnati’s middle linebacker was a mauler in 2012. His 138 tackles paced the Bearcats by a wide margin and his 9 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions illustrated his versatility. In his first year starting Blair went a long way to solidifying the Mike linebacker position after J.K. Schaffer graduated. As a senior last season it appeared as if he would be a one-and-done player for the Bearcats but was surprised by the NCAA granting him a sixth year of eligibility. That’s excellent news for not only UC but for Blair himself. He was incredible last season and with another season under his belt he will only bolster his NFL Draft resume. The Cincinnati MLB could be an early selection next April if he maintains or exceeds the numbers he put up in 2012.
Austen Bujnoch
I’ve been a big believer of the Cincinnati guard every since he abused this Tennessee Volunteer defensive tackle on UC’s first play from scrimmage when they visited Nashville in 2011. Bujnoch has anchored the interior of the Bearcats’ line for the last two seasons now and heads into a senior campaign where he should really shine. But to be selected next April he’ll need to bulk up a bit. All of the interior linemen taken in the 2013 NFL Draft exceeded 300 lbs, so at 285 or so, Bujnoch is a tad undersized at the moment. But that should happen naturally with the new coaching staff in place who want to integrate pro-style schemes into the offense. To be fully adaptive to what Eddie Gran wants to do Bujnoch will have to bulk up anyways. So if he does so and masters the new blocking techniques, Bujnoch should get some looks from pro teams next year.
Deven Drane
The Cincinnati cornerback is one of the most gifted senior defensive backs since Mike Mickens. As a sophomore he replaced Dominique Battle when he went down with an injury against Oklahoma and was the favorite for a starting spot ever since. His stats as junior last season don’t really do him justice. Yes he led the Bearcats in passes defensed with 7 but the mark of a good cornerback is the tendency for opposing quarterbacks to look in their direction. If a DB is maintaining good coverage, the passer won’t look his way. If not, it’s an easy pitch and catch for the quarterback and his wide out. Many times last year receivers found it difficult to give Drane the slip and NFL defensive coordinators will likely take notice of that. The key for him is to stay healthy for the entirety of the 2013 season.
Brendon Kay
Like Blair, Brendon Kay was granted an extra year to return to the Bearcats and lead the team one last time. He lit the world on fire when he replace Munchie Legaux halfway through the 2012 season, passing for almost 1,300 yards, 10 touchdowns (to just 2 picks), and completing 63% of his passes. In his final year with Cincinnati, Kay is looking to build off of that performance and bolster his NFL resume himself. And he is a pro prospect at this point. At 6’4″ and 233 lbs Kay has the height to survey the field from the pocket and the size to absorb the hits he is bound to take. Plus he displays nice touch on the ball and has the arm strength to gun a pass into a tight window if need be. In his final season at Cincinnati if Kay can build on the resume he compiled in 2012 he could be a top-10 quarterback prospect in next year’s draft.
Anthony McClung
Steady Eddie, Mc-Clutch, whatever you want to call him Anthony McClung has been a mainstay in Cincinnati’s wide receiver corps for the last two seasons. Now heading into his senior year he has an opportunity to put a stamp on his career at UC. Having an establish quarterback should only help matters as his numbers in 2012 were definitely hampered by the quarterback change mid-season. McClung is a little on the light side but has a excellent hands and is very shifty. If he can eclipse the 1000-yard receiving mark in 2013 the NFL will have to take notice of him.