Former UC Bearcats, other NFL hopefuls work out for Bengals

On a sunny, spring morning along the Ohio River, 32 former college football players with local ties were given the traditional audition by the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. After a brisk hour-long workout, a large basket was rolled out by staffers to collect the jerseys given to the players on Tuesday, April 14. They had Bengals-issued t-shirts and orange shorts and for some, that might be all they'll remember.

Of the 32, only a few will be retained for further observation. The rest will have deposited their last NFL jersey into the big plastic container with wheels as they exited. But, it's like playing the lottery, you can't win without a ticket and perhaps one or more of the 32 can find a golden ticket.

Cincinnati Bearcats , Ohio State Buckeyes work out for Bengals Tuesday's participants included Matthew McDoom, Logan Wilson, Xavier Williams, Jack Dingle, Gavin Gerhardt, Deondre Buford, Patrick Gurd, Isaiah Rogers, Jalen Hunt and CJ McCray from the Cincinnati Bearcats. From Ohio State there was Jayden Fielding, John Ferlmann, Ethan Onianwa and Tywone Malone Jr. Miami University was represented by Jordan Brunson, Elijah Blakey, Silas Walters, Jackson Kuwatch (Lakota West), and Austin Uke.

From other schools were UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna, whose father Jon played quarterback for the Bengals and currently coaches at Lakota East. Rodney Heath Jr. is also the son of a former Bengal who played at Lakota East and Louisiana Tech.