One of college football’s ultimate deep threats is headed to Kansas City.
Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Cyrus Allen was selected by the Chiefs with pick No. 176 of the fifth round in the 2026 NFL Draft. Allen is the third Bearcat off the board this weekend, following in the foosteps of outside linebacker Jake Golday (No. 51) and tight end Joe Royer (No. 170). The 2026 draft marks the fourth time in six seasons that Cincinnati has generated at least three draft selections.
Allen made a name for
himself at several collegiate stops as a home run target, averaging 16.6 yards per reception across a 4-year career. The speedster began at Louisiana Tech where he managed 500 receptions and four touchdowns on 22 receptions as a freshman in 2022. The following year, he attained his collegiate-high 778 yards on 46 catches, expanding the verticality of the Bulldog offense.
After two productive years in Ruston, the All-CUSA honorable mention transferred to Texas A&M. Allen was well-utilized toward the start of his Aggie tenure, but his production dipped as the season progressed, finishing with 269 yards on 18 receptions for the maroon and white. The New Orleans native entered the portal once again following 2024, this time heading to a different area of the country to become a Cincinnati Bearcat.
Allen was a welcome presence for a Cincinnati team in desperate need of wide receiver talent. He ranked atop the Bearcats in receptions (51) and receiving yards (674), while tallying a Big 12-best 13 touchdown receptions — which tied for third in the entire FBS. The explosive receiver enjoyed a signature performance in Week 5 at Kansas where he amassed a career-high 11 receptions for 128 yards and contributed two touchdowns in a thrilling shootout victory.
The journeyman prospect is the fourth Cincinnati receiver drafted in the 2020s, submitting his name with NFL talent such as Alec Pierce, Tre Tucker, and Tyler Scott. Despite his collegiate production, Allen was snubbed from the 2026 NFL Combine. However, the 5’11”, 183 pound receiver showcased his athleticism at Cincinnati’s Pro Day, particularly grading well with an 11-foot broad jump.
Allen joins a Kansas City Chiefs franchise fresh off missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, further burdened by an ACL tear to three-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes in December. The Chiefs currently present a young receiving corps headlined by Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Other faces in the room include Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Nikko Remigio, Andrew Armstrong, Jason Brownlee, and Jimmy Holiday. The 176th overall pick will compete with these names in effort to earn playing time as a rookie.
