Cincinnati C Gavin Gerhardt selected 235th overall by Minnesota Vikings at 2026 NFL Draft
Gerhardt is the fourth Bearcat chosen in 2026 and the first Cincinnati center at the NFL Draft since Jason Kelce.
Sep 17, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt (53) snaps the ball against the Miami Redhawks in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images 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.