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The NFL Draft is coming up at the end of April and NFL teams are currently in full scout mode as players participate in the annual Scouting Combine.
Since Travis Kelce was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Cincinnati has had only 5 players drafted (2 fourth rounders, 1 sixth rounder, 2 seventh rounders). 2020 will see at least two players get drafted, with TE Josiah Deguara and RB Michael Warren II expected to be mid-round draft picks. LB Perry Young also has an outside chance of being a late-round pick. Beyond that, the future is certainly bright, with the Bearcats collecting a ton of talent from recent recruiting classes that NFL draft picks should become more of a norm around Cincinnati.
TE Josiah Deguara graduated after a great career at Cincinnati. Over four years, he caught 92 passes for 1,117 yards and 12 touchdowns (also had a rushing TD) and proved to be a strong and reliable blocker.
Let’s check in on his performance and what folks around Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine are saying about Deguara.
Among all TEs at the #NFLCombine:
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) February 28, 2020
⬇️ @JosiahD5 ⬇️
▪️#1 - bench press (25 reps)
▪️#4 - vertical jump (35.5 inches)
▪️#6 - 40 yard dash (4.72 seconds)
▪️Putting on a show#Bearcats
: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/ZFZNgsSV26
Cincinnati TE/future fullback Josiah Deguara is putting together arguably the best all-around workout among this tight end group.
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) February 27, 2020
The bench press is a much better indicator of work ethic than actual strength, but Josiah Deguara keeps winning. That dude works his butt off every rep on tape and apparently in the weight room too. He’s darn good. #NFLCombine https://t.co/l58kYEgjdV
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) February 27, 2020
Josiah Deguara being faster than Hunter Bryant is probably not something that was expected (although Deguara is a solid athlete)
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) February 27, 2020
I don’t think folks will be sleeping on Josiah Deguara anymore. Quality day for the Cincy TE. I mentioned him on @SBNationRadio as a player to keep an eye on.
— Andrew DiCecco (@ADiCeccoNFL) February 28, 2020
Josiah Deguara from @GoBearcatsFB is winning the combine so far for the TEs #NFLCombine
— Harold L. Stokes (@HaroldLStokes) February 27, 2020
Clearly the reviews are in and Deguara passed the combine. No one has anything bad to say about his performance. Teams will have four years of actual game footage to review, plus his A+ combine performance, and the Bearcats’ Pro Day that will happen in the future.
In today’s NFL, teams are trying to be as creative as possible. Deguara can be a traditional tight end, he can play fullback, he can be moved all over the field. In the right situation, with the right coaches, Deguara could really be successful and see his abilities maximized.
We’ll continue to follow Deguara’s path to the NFL, along with fellow Bearcats alum Michael Warren.