Jim Nagy: Josh Whyle 'Will be That guy' Ascending in NFL Draft Like Alec Pierce

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats just put nine players on NFL teams in April's draft, and Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy thinks tight end Josh Whyle will steal the show at the 2023 NFL Combine just like Alec Pierce did.

"NFL teams looking for an athletic pass-catching TE will be focused on UC’s Josh Whyle this fall," Nagy wrote in a Twitter thread. "Scouts have seen plenty of him the past two years when studying QB Desmond Ridder, and he’ll be one of most athletic TEs in the 2023 draft. A year ago the UC staff called it when they told us eventual Colts second-rounder (and Senior Bowl alum) Alec Pierce would blow up the Combine. Our sources believe TE Josh Whyle will be that guy next April. Josh Whyle is a legit seam-stretcher."

That's high praise for Whyle, who Nagy said could've declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and made it double-digit picks, but relented after a foot injury against Alabama. Whyle has all the makings of an NFL tight end.

Whyle has posted near-identical season stat totals over the past two years, but don't be surprised to see him go over 30 catches and come close to double-digit touchdowns.

The Bearcats have made it clear they want to feature 12 and 22 personnel this season, and that means plenty of chances at big plays for the Bearcats' tight ends. Whyle is currently ranked 250th on the consensus 2023 big board and is the 18th-ranked tight end.

.@GoBearcatsFB had G5 record 9 players drafted this year but return of TE Josh Whyle gives them a proven playmaker to build around. @JoshWhyle81 was second highest graded TE by @PFF two years ago behind only Falcons’ Pro Bowler Kyle Pitts.#BestoftheBest #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/rxd4r9Q50n
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) June 14, 2022