The Cincinnati Bearcats were well represented at the NFL Draft.
The fourth and final Bearcat came off the board at pick No. 235 in the seventh round, as center Gavin Gerhardt officially boarded the NFL stage as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Gerhardt joins teammates Jake Golday (pick No. 52, also to the Vikings), Joe Royer (pick No. 170 to the Browns), and Cyrus Allen (pick No. 176 to the Chiefs) to form Cincinnati’s 2026 NFL Draft class. It marked the sixth time in the modern 7-round NFL Draft era
(1994-present) that the Bearcats produced at least four selections.
Gerhardt spent all six of his college years at Cincinnati. He was redshirted during the Bearcats’ undefeated regular season in 2020 but finally made his debut during a memorable 2021 campaign, where Cincinnati qualified for the College Football Playoff after a 13-0 start and a second-straight American Conference championship. Making only four appearances, Gerhardt utilized his second redshirt that season after applying the COVID redshirt for 2020.
That gave the Xenia, OH native four full years from 2022-25, and he thrived as a four-year starter at center and a three-time team captain. By the time his eligibility exhausted, Gerhardt amassed 49 starts to tie for the third-most in program history. He was recognized as a 2023 All-Big 12 honorable mention and served as the focal point to an esteemed 2025 Bearcat o-line that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. In 2025, Cincinnati’s offensive line paved the way for a rushing attack which ranked third nationally in yards per carry at 5.69 and allowed the second-fewest sacks (8) — only trailing Army’s seven.
Gerhardt did not receive an invite to the NFL Combine. However, the 6’4”, 306 pound center tested his abilities at Cincinnati’s Pro Day. He recorded 27 reps on the bench press, ran a 5.21-second 40, and recorded a 25.5-inch vertical.
Gerhardt was the 11th and final center called at the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh — and the second from the Big 12. He arrives to a Minnesota Vikings team that must replace recently-retired center Ryan Kelly. Kelly, who missed significant time in 2025 due to injuries, split starting duties with Blake Brandel, who shifted over from his normal position of left guard and played 363 snaps at center. The Vikings also retain Michael Jurgens, who also saw snaps at center last season. Gerhardt joins the mix, as Minnesota aims to find a permanent solution in the middle of its offensive line.
Gerhardt is the first Cincinnati center drafted since Jason Kelce was 191st overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. Despite entering the NFL as a sixth round pick, Kelce now awaits an imminent spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton after six First Team All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring. Gerhardt hopes to make a similar rise as a seventh rounder as he launches his NFL career up north.
