CINCINNATI — There’s a class of football player that has always intrigued the Bengals. <\/p>\n
The one that played high school football in Cincinnati, stayed in town or state to play at the University of Cincinnati or Ohio State, and then eventually moved onto an NFL career with the Bengals. <\/p>\n
Call them homegrown stars.<\/p>\n
Paul Brown and son Mike were always fond of them, starting with quarterback Greg Cook in 1969. Born in Dayton, Cook didn’t actually play high school in Cincinnati but rather Chillicothe. But he did star at UC and, of course, was a sensation early in his rookie season of ’69 before a shoulder injury brought a premature end to his career. <\/p>\n
Archie and Ray Griffin played at Ohio State before moving onto the Bengals in the mid-to-late 70s.<\/p>\n
That tradition in the last decade with the likes of Kevin Huber (McNicholas H.S., UC) and his successor Drue Chrisman (LaSalle H.S., Ohio State) and star edge and defensive end Sam Hubbard (Moeller H.S., Ohio State). <\/p>\n
And oh yeah, there’s the quarterback. Joe Burrow, of course, matriculated from Athens High, went to Ohio State, nearly transferred to UC before eventually moving onto LSU. <\/p>\n
Now there’s another player on their radar at a position of need. Tight end Josh Whyle graduated from LaSalle High and decided to stay in the city and play at UC. <\/p>\n
While not on the level of Covington Catholic’s Michael Mayer, who starred at Notre Dame, Whyle put a lot of production on film in his years at UC. In 2020 and ’21, playing with Desmond Ridder, he caught six touchdowns each season, averaging over 12 yards a catch. <\/p>\n
He’s a definite NFL tight end prospect with the size (6-foot-7) and the reliable hands to produce on Sundays. The question is his speed and at what weight will he feel most comfortable?<\/p>\n
Will he be able to use his size to block at 260 pounds? Will he be served better by losing some pounds and playing at a lesser weight? He indicated Thursday that he feels better now at the 260 weight because it makes him harder to move. <\/p>\n
\nJosh Whyle with leaping grab over the middle from Ben Bryant pic.twitter.com\/IYngAZhJ8s<\/a><\/p>\n
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) March 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n