Stripe Hype mailbag: Post Bengals draft
When was the last time the Bengals drafted a player from Ohio State that was successful in the NFL?
What a great question provided by our incredible fans! The Cincinnati Bengals have only drafted 21 players from “THE” Ohio State University, including the recent selections of Billy Price and Sam Hubbard. The Bengals have selected the likes of 2 time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin in 1976. However, it was his fullback at Ohio State Pete Johnson chosen in 1977, who had the better pro career.
Before I tackle the most recent draft pick from Ohio State. Let’s talk about the most miserable pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, in 1994, selected Defensive Tackle from Ohio State, Big Daddy Dan Wilkinson, or infamously known as “Big Fatty”. He was the first pick in the 1994 draft. He was one of the worst busts in Cincinnati Bengals draft history and maybe even NFL history.
Back to your question, who was most recent and how successful draft pick. The most recent is Reid Fragel, offensive tackle, who was selected in the 2013 NFL Draft in Round 7 with the pick 240. He was waived right before the start of the 2013 season. He spent four more years on 5 different teams practice squads (Cleveland, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, KC, and Minnesota).
The most recent and somewhat productive draft pick was in 2012. The Bengals selected in the 6th round of the NFL Draft, Running Back, Dan “Boom” Herron. At the time I thought this would be an excellent pick up late in the 2012 draft. However, Herron didn’t find a place in the Bengals offense or team. The Indianapolis Colts signed him on October 9, 2013. He went on to have a pretty long career with the Colts and Bills.
Next: Bengals selected for International Player Pathway program
To answer your question, no one was drafted in recent history from Ohio State that has been remotely productive for the Cincinnati Bengals. Pete Johnson in 1977 was the last Ohio State alum that had a successful career with the Bengals. He was a workhorse back who accumulated 5,421 yards, 70 TD’s, and all-time leading scorer of 420 points in his seven years in Cincinnati. He was traded in 1984 to the San Diego Chargers for the electrifying James Brooks.
-Answered by Dominic Gross