The Athletic's Dane Brugler Gives Draftable Grades To Six UC Prospects

The 2023 version of 'The Beast' is here.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Apr 10, 2023 11:09 AM EDT

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CINCINNATI — UC football set a program record with nine NFL draft picks last year.

The Athletic thinks the school could get close to that once again, with six players getting draftable grades in Dane Brugler's 2023 version of "The Beast."

Here's how the group fell:

WR Tyler Scott - 2nd Round

LB Ivan Pace - 4th Round

TE Josh Whyle - 5th Round

WR Tre Tucker - 5th Round

CB Arquon Bush - 6th/7th Round

TE Leonard Taylor - 7th Round

Brugler has Scott ranked seventh among all wide receivers.

"Scott is a work in progress in a few coachable areas," Brugler wrote. "But high-end speed and short-area suddenness allow him to consistently create his own separation. He adds immediate value as a gunner on special teams and has Tyler Lockett upside as a starting NFL receiver."

Pace is ranked ninth among all linebackers on Brugler's board.

"Pace is undersized and faces questions about his ability as an every-down player in the NFL, but he is instinctive with the play speed, urgency, and contact balance to consistently affect the game with his effort," Brugler wrote. "His exact NFL position fit will be different from scheme to scheme, but it will be important for him to carve out a role on special teams to secure a roster spot."

Whyle is ranked 11th among Brugler's tight ends.

"Whyle has the triangle numbers (height/weight/speed) and bloc upside that NFL teams look for, but he doesn't consistently play up to his testing numbers and his receiving tape leaves much to be desired," Brugler wrote. "With improv point skills, he has the traits to be a rosterable Y tight end in the NFL."

Tucker is ranked 24th among wide receivers on Brugler's board.

"Tucker has the play speed and toughness over the middle to win as a gadget/slot, but his small catch radius is a potential roadblock that might limit his NFL role," Brugler wrote. "His special teams impact as a returner and on coverages (15 special teams tackles in college) could be his saving grace to sticking on an NFL roster."

Bush is Brugler's 31st-ranked cornerback.

"Bush isn’t on the same level as a pro prospect as Gardner and Bryant, but speed and ball skills are critical at the cornerback position, and he checks those boxes," Brugler wrote. "His experience in the nickel only helps his chances of securing a role on an NFL roster."

Taylor rounds out the list of UC players with draftable grades as Brugler's 18th-ranked tight end.

"Taylor has a very average skill set and doesn’t have the resume of a playmaker, but his basketball background is evident with the way he moves and catches the football, giving evaluators optimism about his developmental upside," Brugler wrote. "He might be able to fend for a rotational No. 3 tight end role."

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