It is hard to ask for a better game than #1 Ohio State taking on #4 Texas early in the college football season. This game will be littered with talented draft prospects for both teams.
Who are some of the players that the Cincinnati Bengals could be keeping an eye on during this early season showdown?
Let’s take a look at some of those prospects.
Trevor Goosby
The talented left tackle prospect is a returning starter for the Longhorns’ offensive line. Goosby is 6’7” and 325 pounds. Goosby has excellent athleticism
for a player with his size.
As talented as he is, he won’t turn 22 until May. With Orlando Brown Jr. starting to get older, it would be wise for the Bengals to be looking into long-term solutions at the left tackle position.
Goosby will be tasked with going up against a Matt Patricia-led defense that will send pass rushers in waves throughout the night. This is a big early test for Goosby, who is widely considered a first round draft prospect this year.
Christian Alliegro
The Bengals are putting a lot of faith in Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight II. Even if those two players take the leap that Al Golden and the Bengals are expecting, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bengals add depth behind them with another linebacker selection during the 2027 NFL Draft.
Alliegro transferred from Wisconsin to Ohio State this season. At 6’4” and 245 pounds, he has the size and versatility to move all around a defense. He has been effective on the blitz, recording 8 sacks during his time at Wisconsin.
While he needs to show more in coverage for the Buckeyes this year, Alliegro is a player to keep an eye on Saturday night.
Jelani McDonald
One of the positions that doesn’t get talked about as much for a potential need after the season in Cincinnati is safety. There are big expectations for Jordan Battle in 2026, but he is currently scheduled to be a free agent after the season. If he were to move on to another team after this season, the Bengals would be in the market to add another safety to pair with Bryan Cook.
Jelani McDonald is a top-five safety prospect in this draft class. At 6’2” and 201 pounds, McDonald has really good size for the position. He is a reliable tackler in the open field, which has been an issue for Cincinnati in recent years. He has also shown the versatility to play safety or in the slot at corner. It should be a good game to watch McDonald go against the talented Ohio State passing attack.
Other draft-eligible prospects for Texas: Arch Manning (QB), Hollywood Smothers (RB), Raleek Brown (RB), Cam Coleman (WR), Ryan Wingo (WR), Michael Masunas (TE), Melvin Siani (OT), Brandon Baker (OG), Colin Simmons (DE), Ian Geffrard (DT), Hero Kanu (DT), Maraad Watson (DT), Rasheem Biles (LB), Bo Mascoe (CB), Kobe Black (S)
Other draft-eligible prospects for Ohio State: Julian Sayin (QB), Jeremiah Smith (WR), Devin McCuin (WR), Brandon Inniss (WR), Ian Moore (OT), Austin Siereveld (OG), Luke Montgomery (OG), Carson Hinzman (OC), Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (DE), Beau Atkinson (DE), Qua Russaw (DE), Eddrick Houston (DT), John Walker (DT), James Smith (DT), Payton Pierce (LB), Jermaine Mathews (CB), Jaylen McClain (S), Earl Little Jr. (S), Terry Moore (S)
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